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Martin Van Buren. 



Bishop Onderdonk. 



John Tyler. 




Bishop Hughes. 



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THINGS NEW AND OLD/' 

FOR 

THE GLORY OF GOD/ 

AND 

EVERLASTING. BENEFIT OF ALL WHO READ AND UNDERSTAND THEM; 

OR 

OLD REVELATIONS AND PROPHECIES 

IN 

SEVERAL SERMONS, 

REVISED, ENRICHED, EMBELLISHED AND CONFIRMED; 

AND 

DEDICATED TO THEIR EXCELLENCIES, ANDREW JACKSON, MARTIN VAN 
L, BISHOP ONDERDONK, 



BY A DESCENDANT FROM ONE OF 

THE EARLY PURITANIC GOVERNORS. 

X 

U NE QUID FALSI DJCERE AUDEAT, N^V ^ ' 

NE QUID VERI, NON AUDEAT." 



Bear -with me a little, in my folly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.-^PAtrt-, 



PORTLAND: 
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HYDE. 

THURSTON, ILSLEY & CO., PRINTERS 

1845. 



fr* 



N 6 



Entered according to act of Congress by 

WILLIAM HYDE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District of Maine, in the A. D. 1845. 



DEDICATION 



To your Excellencies, viz : ex-Presidents Andrew Jackson, 
Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, and Bishops Onderdonk 
and Huges, this work is here very ceremoniously inscribed. 
It will strike all minds acquainted with this work, and with you, 
that there are no personages in North America, so worthy of a 
dedication of a work of this kind, as yourselves. All of you have 
preached, and harrangued, for many years, to the members of the 
vast congregation, for which these sermons are designed ; and all 
of you have stoutly professed to wish well to asses. 

If I have offended your excellencies, by encroaching upon your 
employment, it is fit I should beg your pardon, or offer some apolo- 
gy ; but as I have often seen your public declarations, that there 
was plenty of work for you, and hundreds more in that line of 
business, I trust you will not be offended at receiving a little as- 
sistance from one, who means well to every member of each of 
your congregations. 

Cherishing the hope, that you will recommend these sermons 
to your numerous acquaintances and friends, I am, 

Your most humble servant, 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



1. Illustration of Genesis XLIX, 14: Issachar is a strong ass, 

couching down between two burdens. 

2. Do. do. 

3. Illustration of Numbers XXII, 21 — 30 : Balaam rose up in 

the morning and saddled his ass, and went with the Prin- 
ces of Moab. And the ass said unto Balaam,. am I not 
thine ass upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was 
thine. 

4. Do. do. 

5. Illustration of Romans XV, 4 : Whatsoever things were writ- 

ten aforetime, were written for our learning, that we 
through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might 
have hope. 

6. Do. do. 

7. Illustration of 2nd Thessalonians, II, 3: And that Man of 

Sin, be revealed, the Son of Perdition. 

8. Illustration of Proverbs XXVI, 4 and 5 : Answer not a fool 

according to his folly, lest thou also be like him : An- 
swer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his 
own conceit. 

9. A Sermon first preached, Fourth of March, A. D. 1823, from 

Job XXII, 10 : I also will show my opinion. 



PREFACE 



It is well known, that it is very customary for preachers, civil as 
well as ecclesiastical, when they publish sermons, to assign reasons 
why they do so. " The desire of friends, — and the request of 
better judges," — are often given as reasons of publication. The 
author of this collection of ''sermons and reviews" does not pre- 
tend to any of these reasons ; yet, he verily conceives, that he has 
good and altogether sufficient reasons for publishing them. The 
audience , whom he intends to benefit, is far too large, for any sin- 
gle human voice to reach the ears of all ; and, therefore, as he 
could not speak to all so as to make them hear, he has made choice 
of this medium, as the only one by which he could communicate 
these instructions. 

But, when one is disposed to preach a sermon or two, for the 
benefit of any of the creatures God has made, he is, now-a-days, 
often perplexed to find a proper subject or text, to discourse upon. 
Almost every character has been described in some sermon, lec- 
ture, or political speech. And there is not a faculty of the mind, 
nor a member of the body, but which has been harrangued, lec- 
tured, or preached threadbare. There are, also, now, sermons 
to young men, and sermons to young women, — dissertations and 
speeches, and phrenological humbugs on heads, and fascinating 
lectures on hearts — almost every subject is exhausted, having been 
lectured and sermonized to death. 

Yet, the author does not remember having seen any sermons, 
excepting these, on the subjects he has here choseji, nor heard of 



VIII PREFACE. 

any preached, professedly and particularly to his audience. Our 
very excellent patrons may per adventure, be offended at the author, 
for thus interfering with their employment, and preaching to their 
congregations ; but this much the author, may in truth, say, for 
himself, that he has not preached after their manner; and to make 
them some satisfaction, has given them the honor of a dedication. 

Now, every preacher has a right to preach as it pleaseth him, 
to such as are disposed to hear him; and in whatever manner he 
has an inclination, if his end be the real profiting of his hearers: 
and, therefore, if he be not so happy as to please his audience, he 
should take care not to displease himself. 

Sermons to this class of animals, I know, may appear strange, to 
such as have lately read sermons to young women ; but they ought 
to consider, I think, that something is due, even to these quadru- 
peds. We read, you know, of their preaching to mankind ; and 
pray tell us, why may not men preach to them ? 

Some solemn epicurian, in black, will doubtless hoot this, as an 
insult to mankind, and a reflection upon gentlemen in all the holy 
orders ; and all the very excellent dignitaries of church and state ! 
The author can only reply, in vindication, that he has followed 
the example of the Patriarch Jacob, who preached to asses; and 
of our Saviour, who sent a challenge preachment to the voluptuous 
monster, Herod, styling him " that fox," a cunning and ferocious 
brute, that he held in utter contempt. 

After all, there is some reason to suspect that the preachers re- 
ferred to, will censure these sermons, for being destitute of some 
things which they ought to contain; as also, for not wanting some 
things which they contain. But, as " humanum est errare/' there 
is no perfection in this life, the reader must receive them as they 
are. There should have been two volumes of them, for the sake 
of fashion, as that has become the customary style of publishing; 
but it has been thought convenient to postpone one, 'till such time 
as it should appear how the first was received. 

And, another thing : these sermons should have been dedicated 
to many subordinates of their excellencies, named in the dedication ; 
with hopes that they also would join in recommending them to 
public notice ; but the author feared offending their modesty, by the 
flattery of a dedication ; and for that reason, they have not been 
named. 



PREFACE. IX 

Once more. The author has deferred setting his name to these 
discourses, until the twenty -fifth edition, when he may perhaps find 
" D. D." to fix to them, like other authors. 

If the clergy, or others, think it improper thus to preach to 
quadrupeds, the author may, perhaps, publish, by-and-by, sermons 
to Doctors in Divinity ; when he will pay some regard to method, 
and the regular set-to rules of composing sermons. Doubtless, 
every preacher ought to consider the qualifications of his audience, 
and preach accordingly. Though there may be some things that 
seem to savor, a little, of the ludicrous, in these sermons, the 
reader may rest quite assured that he will find also, some very seri- 
ous things, highly worthy of his notice. Thus much the preacher 
can say for himself, that having enjoyed almost i( three score and 
ten years/' during the latter portion of it, on witnessing the Cor- 
ruption and profligate tendency of things, in both church and 
state, he has often rejoiced in having authority from the " Royal 
Preacher" to rebuke the " madness of the times." When Jackson 
came into the chair of state, he saw, distinctly, in that melancholy 
fact, that public , American virture, was sinking from her glory; and 
that vice, was emerging from its infamy ; and he did not hesitate 
then, publicly, to sound the note of alarm. And the time has now 
come, when the basest would have us recognize them as on the 
same level with the best ! And whoever dares, even with authority 
from the living God, to expose and reprobate this state of things, 
expects to be visited by the million, with implacable wrath. But 
in all this wrath, there is nothing to be deprecated by us ; as these 
patricides are unsusceptible of solid argument, or any holy prin- 
ciple ; we have, therefore, no solicitude about their censure or 
applause — we would, indeed, were it possible, do them good. 
This is at least a negative merit, which some preachers of the 
age cannot claim; and with which they will never Le endowed; 
endowed with, did I say? They could not be endowed with what is 
negative ! Call it anything you please, for 1 have done. 

COMPILER. 

N. B. — Yet, he will here superadd, that, having, on a certain evening, 
exhibited the plan, and leading features of the contents of this work, to one 
of the most distinguished critics in Biblical literature and ecclesiastical his- 
tory, now President of one of our Colleges, he gave it his most emphatic 
and substantia] testimony of approval; presenting '.he author with ten dol- 
ars, with the assurance that if lie would send him one copy, when it should 
Icomc from the press, he would consider himself amply remunerated, 

A 



SERMON I 



GEN. XLIX, 14 : 
IsSACHAR IS A STRONG ASS, COUCHING DOWN BETWEEN TWO 

BURDENS. 

Every theological scholar knows, that the language of 
the Old Testament, is peculiarly suited for drawing charac- 
ters in few words. It is usual, in the Hebrew language, to 
present the image of a multitude, by a single character. 
We find it very common, by the figure of a beast, to point 
out the image of a whole people ; and there is always at 
least some resemblance to the thing signified. It is needless 
now to go far for examples — there is one in the text : Issa- 
char is a strong ass, &c. And, indeed, he has much need- 
of strength, for he carries tioo burdens. 

The tribe of lssachar were a wealthy, inactive, slothful 
and licentious people ; as appeared in the sequel, they loved 
rest and abundance of idleness, more than liberty, and chose 
to be duped and enslaved, rather than inform themselves, 
and assert and maintain their freedom. There was a reason 
for this — the father had set them an example ; he saw that 
the land -was good, productive of every thing required for 
sensual pleasure — perfectly adapted to his slothful and 
sluggish disposition ; self-interest, ease, and sordid self-en- 
joyment, were of more importance, in his view, than intel- 
ligence, and the welfare and happiness of the whole nation. 
There are many such asses as lssachar, that prefer present 
ease, brutal ignorance, and indulgence, to intelligent, reli- 
gious, moral and political freedom. Our text is a prophecy, 



12 "THINGS NEW AND OLD,' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

in the present tense, which is common in the Hebrew writ- 
ings. Jacob, here, in his last words, foretells the general 
character of the tribe of Issachar. I need not tell my read- 
ers any more concerning the object of this prediction, than 
that it included the whole tribe of the children of Israel. 
It was too well verified by their subsequent behavior. 

Jacob, I think, is the first mentioned in the scriptures, 
who preached to asses ; but, since his time, many have been 
thus usefully employed. This term, " ass," 1 admit, is a 
shameful monosyllable, when applied to reasonable crea- 
tures — men, who are endowed with reason and understand- 
ing, to degenerate so basely. Oh ! what a falling off, is 
here ! ! ! This was quite a numerous tribe : it rose to the 
number of fifty-four thousand and four hundred ! Truly, 
a large family ! far too many of them to be so mean-spirit- 
ed ! They wanted not wealth, nor strength, but intelligence, 
and energy of character. Many good gifts, indeed, alas ! 
have been ill bestowed ! Strength, without intelligent ac- 
tivity, is always a debasement in human nature. A nation 
of slaves, is a kingdom of asses. That is a dishonorable 
rest, and execrable indulgence, which prevails to the ruin 
of the common weal. Ease and indulgence may be good 
— but not unconnected with liberty. But what was I say- 
ing? Rest, without liberty, is bondage — absolute. 

But what can these '-burdens" mean, that Issachar 
"couched down" so decently "under"? They were, 
doubtless, civil and religious slavery. Strange ! that such 
a number of rational creatures should so tamely bear two 
such insupportable burdens ! I had almost forgotten that 
they were asses ; no people, of any spirit, could endure such 
bondage without complaining! But examples in modern 
days, of such a mean-spirited condition, have become so 
common, that we may cease to wonder at the ineffable deg- 
radation of the tribe of Issachar. The greatest part of the 
world, certainly all Europe, and thousands in America, 
have been successively couched down between these exe- 
crable burdens of fraudulent civil and religious opjvessors. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 13 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

The Jews, as a nation, in the days of our Saviour, were 
become a sort of tame asses ; they couched down, till the 
loco foco^ priests laid on their burden on the one side; and 
the political Roman loco foco demagogues, on the other. 
This assinego character, is, at best, a slovenly one; and I 
wish it were gone out of the world. 

In the scriptures, you know, an ass, is contrasted with a 
horse, which is a generous and noble animal ; that is, it is 
tractable and energetic; but not abject. Obedience to just 
laws, and submission to slavery, are two very different 
things ; the former denotes a people, energetic, wise and good . 
but the latter, a duped, base, degenerate generation. En- 
lightened understandings, and good morals, make men good 
members of civilized society; ignorance, heedlessness, and 
licentiousness, render them the legitimate candidates for all 
the execrable degradation of dupery and bondage. If 
human beings, through ignorance, indolence, and licentious- 
ness, degenerate to such asses, they always find a plenty of 
loco focos, in both church and state, to fix their burdens upon 
them. Peradventure, I shall give offence, by repeating this 
disagreeable epithet ; I here lay it aside; and instead of the 
sign — {ass) — pursue the thing signified. The original 
word signifies an ass of bone, which denotes strength, but 
yet plainly indicates leanness. And, indeed, all slaves are 
generally, intellectually and morally lean ; all, who know 
not the enjoyment of liberty, are poor enough, both in a 
political and moral sense. And to go back a moment, to 
the old man, Issachar ; he is presented to us as a creature, 
strong, truly; but without any judicious, wise and salutary 
motion ; precisely like all people in a state of servitude ; 
being entirely unfit for any profitable business, unless they 
were led to it, by some "loco foco" sportsman; or scourged 
to the work, as loco foco slave holders do, in our own times. 

Now there is nowhere a profitable trade, except among a 
free and energetic people. And wealth, it must be admit- 

* The terra loco foco, as used in this work, according to the common and 
universal acceptation of wise men, denotes all crrorists — workers of iniqui- 
ty : or misleaders in either religious, political, or moral subjects. 



14 "THINGS.NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ted, after all said about it, does not consist in specie, but in 
a judicious circulation of it; and slaves are entirely indif- 
ferent about the matter. Such have no just sense of prop- 
erty, nor correct notions of right ; and therefore want the 
springs of action, by the use of which, reasonable beings 
can be kept in their proper place. 

It is wonderful, what human custom will do; it is called 
a second nature, and justly ; for, through long use and habit, 
men will actually stoop to take on their own burdens ! Is- 
sachar stooped down. Indeed, he deserved a heavy bur- 
den for such debasement of spirit ! It is then, soon enough 
to submit to dupery and bondage, when, by the inscruta- 
ble providence of God, we cannot avoid it. But dupery 
and slavery are the just reward to till such as heedlessly 
and voluntarily, give up their natural, civil and religious 
rights and privileges; such as do not value intelligence, 
good morals, industry, and freedom of thought and action, 
deserve to be duped and enslaved. It is an insult offered 
to our Creator, thus to give up our prerogative to any of his 
creatures. Such as voluntarily give up their rights and 
privileges, which have been bestowed by him, and submit to 
dupery or any human yoke, deserve the name of Atheists ! 
Human beings are not at liberty to give up such a high 
trust, till God, in his providence, requires it. Look back to 
our first parents. There, see the ruinous consequences of 
listening to, and being duped by, the royal arch loco foco 
patriarch!* When men are conquered and forced to submit, 
their subjection is no crime, but a call of our Creator ; but 
when, for some private, or party interest, or from inatten- 
tion, we give up our own and the public welfare, we ren- 
der ourselves unworthy the protection of heaven, by such 
foul rejection of its government. 

Time was ; ^hen almost all, of many generations, of the 
character of the tribe of Issachar, were in the land of our 

* We have the highest authority for giving his Satanic majesty this ap- 
pellation. Said our Lord Jesus Christ, to the chief priests, scribes, phara- 
«ees, and elders — who w.ere locofocos—" Ye are of your father, the devil" 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 15 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

English forefathers; and though they are now long since 
dead, not two centuries since, vast numbers of their descen- 
dants were still "couching down between" the "two bur- 
dens " of civil and religious loco-foco deceivers, and oppres- 
sors. Yes — by far the greater portion of the population 
were loaded and pressed down by them. 

It is amazing to think how creatures of the same frame 
and Constitution, endowed with the same powers and ca- 
pacities, should surfer themselves to be so deluded, and be- 
come so submissively dupes and slaves of others ! We are 
all naturally free — our state of society requires subordina- 
tion of ranks, and individuals ; but can never oblige men 
to part with their natural rights. All justifiable obedience 
must be an act of an intelligent will. In a land of dupery 
and slavery, on the contrary, where leaders are arbitrary, 
and the head of the government has absolute power, there 
can be but one public will, in that nation; and also but one 
will, in each of the duped parties, in either religion or poli- 
tics, that follow their several loco foco despotic sportsmen : 
and hence, no despot can ever know how many of his 
dupes really obey him. That loco foco king, indeed, is 
mightily deceived, who thinks his subjects obey him ; for 
there is, there can be, no true obedience, but what proceeds 
from the heart. The burden of Issachar's tribe, is thus 
declared in the verse following the text. " He became a 
servant to tribute." First duped, then they became the 
subjects of civil and religious oppression. This did not 
happen all at once. Men's minds will for a time remon- 
strate against dupery and bondage, until their decievers 
soothe them to sleep. It is the work of time, to make men 
perfect slaves, to any thing; and it is ordinarily, some lead 
ing passion, or two, which u loco focos" address, to make 
them so. 

Love of ease, and love of pleasure, have, we know, 
^brought thousands into slavery ; but ignorance and indif- 
ference with regard to moral truth, and their highest inter- 
est, have been the cause why a far greater number of the 



16 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

race, in every age, have been shamefully duped, and most 
execrably enslaved. 

When all the faculties are engaged in the pursuit of their 
various and proper objects, according as the God of nature 
directs and requires, it will be a miracle if they do not keep 
themselves clear of ail dupery and slavery. Nations, in 
by-gone days, who looked no farther than their own boun- 
daries, and their original district, in a short time, turned 
slaves; when they went abroad to pursue trade and busi- 
ness, they brought nothing home, and remained of course, 
the same people. And, in many instances, where such 
have made emmigration, they have carried slavery along 
with them ; and they could not live without it. 

Pardon this digression. These two burdens — civil and 
religious dupery and oppression, have ever held all nations 
in bondage, where they have prevailed. They are laid on 
by civil and ecclesiastical "loco focos," viz; majistrates 
and clergy. In some nations, these all act together, to fix 
the burden upon the people ; their dupery and slavery seems 
one concocted and connected load of bondage. Mohammed- 
ism, for instance, in the outset, is one of this sort. Reli- 
gion among the Mohammedons, is an engine of state policy ; 
yet this burden is composed of two parts, viz : idolatry 
and civil oppression. No man, with them, can say he has 
any property. 

Again : In Popish countries, the fact has been much the 
same; there is only this difference — the loco foco magis- 
trate lays on the one burden, and the loco foco priest, the 
other ; and they may properly be said to be two, because 
their policies are different; yet, the magistrate himself, is 
compelled to take a burden from his priest by church au- 
thority. If the loco foco king, or any loco foco magistrate, 
should not be so tractable as they require, they have always 
been accustomed to use some method to make him bear his 
burden patiently. They used him as Balaam did his ass — 
belabored him with church censures, and threatened him 
wth deprivation of office and support. But in some in- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 17 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

stances, in later times, the civil loco focos, (Princes) have 
become so obstinate and powerful, as to bruise the Pope's 
foot against the wall, and almost kicked him off; for he 
always had the impudence when he laid on a burden, to 
mount himself upon the top of it. If all the loco foco kings 
in Europe, and the world, saw their own interest, they 
would forthwith totally reject his authority. The common 
people are, notwithstanding, still oppressed with these two 
burdens. The loco foco leaders of parties, together with the 
Prince, lay upon them the burden of many taxes of one 
kind and another; and the loco foco clergy, fix another; to 
make them ballance fairly. All these creatures are so much 
of Issachar's character, that they voluntarily stoop and 
take on their burdens. In the burden of civil dupery and 
oppression, is contained so much as the Prince and his 
creatures need for all the purposes of their pride and am- 
bition ; and if it be the same in all countries where arbi- 
trary government prevails, this burden will comprehend 
item for all things a man may happen to possess ! Yes, 
such was once the burden of the people in Great Britain, 
during the whole of the unfortunate reign of the Stuarts. 
Their burden contained a particular enumeration of arti- 
cles: such as tonnage and poundage, license to dress meat, 
patents for soap, cards, dice, and pins, &c, &c. Such a 
burden was fixed upon all the subjects by the royal pre- 
rogative, and was increased or alleviated, according to his 
majesty's most gracious pleasure. This was a most griev- 
ous burden, for it extended to all the necessaries of life. A 
christian could not call his head his own, without paying 
for it; nor durst any subject suffer* the smoke of his chim- 
ney to ascend towards heaven, without paying a modus to 
the king for that privilege. The king of Britain, was then 
the prince of the power of the air, as well as king of Brit- 
ain and Ireland. If all nations, where the prince is arbi- 
trary, have such a burden imposed upon them, as this, they 
clearly have need of much strength and patience. 
2 



18 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

In those nations where Popery prevails, there is a burden 
of religious dupery and slavery laid upon the people, by 
the priests; and this consists of item for all things in heav- 
en and earth ; together with a tight restraint upon the con- 
sciences of men, not to act or think contrary to the judg- 
ment and dictation of the priest or church. This burden 
contains several parcels of very, ponderous goods ; such as 
the canons of the church — the decrees of councils — and 
the infalibility of the Bishops and priests of Rome. All 
these, men must receive, however absurd they may appear 
to them, upon the pain of purgatory or hell-torments for- 
ever. In a word, every man in that communion, must be- 
lieve almost everything and anything but the scriptures, 
which are, indeed, entirely excluded from this heavy bur- 
den ! 

In case any who have their burdens laid upon them, 
prove any way refractory or perverse, they are reminded 
of their duty by very powerful arguments. The holy of- 
fice of the inquisition, has several spurs, for such perverse 
asses as will not carry their burdens with patience. They 
may kick and spurn as they will, but they may as well 
think of bringing Rome to Boston, as think to get clear of 
their burdens. As in England, there are schools for train- 
ing horses, to learn them their exercise, so popery has 
schools for training such asses as they conceive do not en- 
dure their burdens patiently ; dungeons, where neither sun- 
shine nor light ever enter — the very picture of the man- 
sions of the dead ; tortures, which furies in council, only 
could contrive, — are here the sad monitors of obedience 
to the most execrable of mortals ! Strange, that nothing 
else could be contrived to convince the consciences of menj 
but what is fit only for the most stubborn and sluggish of 
animals! Can bodily torture convince the mind? Can 
hunger and pain give evidence to absurdity? and confine- 
ment reconcile contradictions! Blessed Jesus, this was 
never thy contrivance! Thy law is love — thy conduct is 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 19 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

all mercy ! And in his name, I ask, how can kingdoms 
bear such a yoke? How can millions of reasonable crea- 
tures submit to such unreasonable and horrible slavery? 
Indeed, any one would think it must have cost much time 
and pains, thus to deprive men of their sense and reason. 
The human mind must be sadly depraved, and capable of 
great degradation, to submit ever to such abject dupery 
and bondage ! Can it be natural to man, thus to degener- 
ate into a state of brutal stupefaction ? So many millions 
of rational beings, endowed with moral capacities, having 
the full and free exercise of their corporeal functions, to sub- 
mit to be treated like brutes; what a horrible considera- 
tion ! Is it so, that the Creator ever left any of our fellow 
beings destitute of their natural and intellectual faculties, 
by which they might be free, unless they voluntarily be- 
came the worthy subjects of delusion and despotism ? I 
think not ; and with his assistance, they have the power 
of being free from such oppression. It is true, however, 
in this debased state, they have lost their Guide, and are 
therefore destitute of a leader, which they might have had, 
in their own minds; and, hence, are like Ephraim, left 
alone by their Maker, and all around them. Yes, their 
reason is enslaved and held captive by their delusions and 
servile superstitions. But is there not some yet undiscov- 
ered cause, why men degenerate so far below themselves ? 
Can even the perfect fallen, dark minded nature, as the 
scriptures represent us all, since the apostacy, to possess, 
relapse so far into a state more debased and barbarous, than 
simple barbarism itself? Ah! there is no such thing as 
perfect nature, in the human animal ; did he, naturally, 
possess any purity of principle, he never would thus de- 
part from rationality. Here then is the cause : the reason 
is duped by the passions ; and hence those loco foco lead- 
ers, who have address and skill sufficient to command the 
one, will also easily overcome the other ; and who does 
not know, that when men's eyes are put out, they grope in 



20 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the dark? O ! Lord Jesus, send the light of the gospel, in 
its power, to open the eyes of such blinded mortals, that 
they may see their delusions, see their true interests, and 
assert their privileges ! And here we will further ask, what 
can induce men, professedly in the sacred office, thus to 
play the devil with their fellow creatures ? Interest, sor- 
did self-interest, is the only cause. Long has this principle 
been the ruling one, without a single exception, where they 
have been true, in the hearts of the clergy of the church of 
Rome. Instead of pointing out the way of righteousness 
to men, and faithfully teaching them the way of salvation, 
they have ever treated their people like asses, and kept 
them in ignorance. Who gave them that right? Are not 
all men equally free ? "Hath not God made of one blood, 
all the kindreds of the earth?" But thoughtless mortals 
abandon their privileges by indolence and inactivity. And, 
indeed, what can man do without instruction and intelli- 
gence! We all are infants, before we are men. Instruc- 
tion is necessary to make us wise. Suffer the race to fol- 
low the first and natural bent of their inclinations, and it 
will be a miracle if they do well ! But here, even nature 
is not suffered to take her own way ; in this Romish church, 
hundreds watch and stand ready to seduce, betray, de- 
base, and destroy, forever. Bad as human nature is ac- 
knowledged to be, men would not be so ill, if they were 
not debased by their loco foco seducers. Should those pa- 
rents be recognized as having done their duty, in instruct- 
ing in the rudiments of true wisdom, who have never pro- 
vided tutors to aid and conduct us in the paths of knowl- 
edge? I tell you nay. Such parents lend a hand to these 
loco focos, who very easily now make their own of us, to 
the ruin of both the body and the soul ! 

Where human beings are no sooner out of the hands of 
their nurses than they fall into the hands of the loco foco 
priests of the Oracle, whose leading maxim is, that igno- 
rance is the mother of devotion, how can they be expected 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 21 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

to understand either their own happiness or interest, in any- 
thing? Doubtless, the first, who gave up their natural 
rights and privileges, . by neglecting to follow after true 
knowledge deserved to bear a heavy burden: but what 
shall be said of their unfortunate children, who, through 
their negligence and inactivity, are trained up in ignorance j 
and, of course, cannot know how to deliver themselves ? 
Could not the dictates of nature, alone, we ask again, have 
directed them otherwise ? Could not the law of the heart 
itself, with all its corruption, still have admonished them 
against such absurd debasement? Alas ! human beings are 
capable of being instructed, but cannot learn, without teach- 
ing. But how then shall we vindicate the conduct of Prov- 
idence, towards the many millions of those who sit in dark- 
ness? Why should children suffer for the iniquities of the 
fathers ? Should not the Almighty have sent them the means 
of knowledge, as a .merciful compensation for their father's 
deficiencies? He has ability to have done so, no doubt.' 
But what if we should here affirm, as our opinion, that 
this judgment upon several generations of wretched mor- 
tals has been suffered to continue, because they have abus- 
ed the dictates of common sense, and their own conscience. 
To this day it is true, — we are of a people who love to be 
duped and debased. "The loco foco prophets prophecy 
for gain, for a reward — and the people love to have it so." 
Therefore justly do they merit dupery, slavery and ruin, 
who make these things the objects of their choice. 

When men are attempted to be taught in principles of 
true or false and spurious knowledge, they certainly must 
use or abuse their senses — false teachers cannot ever lead 
men wrong, without in some degree dealing with their sen- 
sations. Sensation, or perception, is a part of our nature. 
Our functions of feeling, are the workmanship of our Crea- 
tor ; and hence only is it, that in matters of speculation, it 
may be easy to lead us astray; and as to those things 
which are not the objects of our senses, it is often, not dif- 



22 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ficult for some species of loco focos to impose upon us. 
But to receive, and believe absurdity, in matters where our 
senses are competent judges, is choosing our own delusions. 
Suppose, through our ignorance of testimony, loco focos 
may mislead us ; yet in what comes within the notice of 
our perceptions, they cannot mislead us, unless we please. 
The perception of the clown, if you please, in matters 
within his grasp, are, generally, as quick as those of the 
philosopher ; and it requires no more but to use that per- 
ception, as to those things which are its objects, to keep 
clear of dupery and disgrace. 

Though every one is not able to judge of the orthodoxy 
of a creed, and the truth of what are called the canons of 
any church, or falsely, " The Church " yet, every one is 
able by the exercise of his senses, to know that bread is not 
fish, nor wine, blood; and that the same body cannot be in 
millions of places, at the same time. 

When men thus depart from common sense, with which 
they are endowed by their Maker, it is but just to deprive 
them of other advantages, which it is probable they would 
give up, through heedlessness, as they do their senses. 
Our Creator knows, what use men would make of better 
enjoyments; and when he tries them with common mercies 
which they abuse, he vindicates his providence, by with- 
holding others of a higher value, as a punishment for the 
crime of abusing those, he had already bestowed; on the 
recognized principle the world over, that "he that is faith- 
ful in little, will be faithful also in much." Such as are 
endowed with common sense, therefore, and depart from it 7 
or give up its exercise, but ill deserve to be intrusted with 
the sublime truths of our religion ! Indeed, admitting the 
being of our God, common sense is the foundation of per- 
sonal religion — such as depart from, or are destitute of it 7 
cannot in the nature of the case, be really, truly religious. 

When, therefore, we consider the situation of many, de- 
luded, and debased nations and people, we cannot refrain 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 23 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

from pitying them ; yet, at the same time, we cannot hold 
them guiltless in the matter of giving up their perception. 
We, at the present day, who have been so happy as to en- 
joy better instruction than those who remain in ignorance, 
upon a little reflection, may find that many amongst us 
have little, in a religious view, whereof to boast. The 
people of Italy, and Spain, are not the only people who 
have received absurdities, and been cursed by loco focos. 
Not, however, to come nearer home at present, the land of 
our English ancestors, not. two hundred years since, where 
they then boasted of freedom, compared with those upon 
the continent of Europe, presents to our view thousands, 
who submitted tamely enough to many atrocious absur- 
dities. Yes, even in Biitain, a land then renowned for 
all sorts of liberty — a nation to which there was then 
none equal upon the face of the earth — the people had 
reason, indeed, to give thanks to the Almighty, that they 
were, comparatively free. But they were only compara- 
tively so. It matters not whether men become slaves, or 
are made so, if they are really in bondage. Issacha r 
couched down and became a slave. To the charge of 
their sovereign, in Britain, at the time referred to, nothing 
could be laid respecting their liberties; but their laws, fix- 
ed a burden upon every subject in the kingdom. There 
were those among the people then, who said and preached, 
that no man is entirely free, who is subjected to losses and 
disappointments by the laws of his country, on account of 
his religion. They could not see how a man can be free, 
who, when faithful to civil government, and whose princi- 
ples taught him to be so, was yet deprived of some of the 
important advantages of the government, by his choice of 
a mode in which to worship God ! Could he be free from a 
burden, who must either submit to the ," test act," contra- 
ry to the dictates of his conscience, or lose a privilege, 
which might promote the welfare of himself and his coun- 
try ? The complainants at that time reasoned, and- they 



24 "THINGS NEW AND OLD, 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 






reasoned correctly, that perhaps it might be easy for such 
as had enlarged consciences, to call this no hardship ; and 
for such as loved to make a monopoly of privileges, to say, 
you may just let it alone; but where then is our boasted 
liberty 1 when it only consists in negatives of this sort ? 
but even this, is not always the case. Suppose a good sub- 
ject were to refuse the calls of his king and his country, 
in the time of danger, to protect them or help them out of 
difficulty ? On the one hand, he might be reckoned disaffect- 
ed, and on the other, he would most clearly act nnconsci- 
entiously. Here then the laws of his country lay such a 
subject under bondage, and bring him into a grievous di- 
lemma. This was a burden, undoubtedly ; however light it 
might seem to such as are not immediately concerned ; but 
could such slavery be necessary,, to make faithful subjects, 
and good members of society ? Or on the contrary, did not 
such restrictions tend to fill all places of power and influ- 
ence, with the worst of men 1 

Strange, indeed, it was, and ever will be, that men cannot 
be supposed faithful, just and good, unless they kneel down 
before such a particular altar as the madness of the times 
may erect, and there commune with the loco foco church, 
at the expense of a gross sacrifice of their own conscience ! 
This was nothing less than a snare to catch the silly broth- 
erhood. There certainly, was no reason, to suspect the 
loyalty of all such as scrupled to communicate with their 
loco foco church, nor would such a compliance have been 
any evidence of a faithful member of society, or a good 
subject. There is every reason to suppose, that persons 
who had been otherwise brought up, did not and could not 
have acted sincerely, in such a compliance; and it was a 
most execrable snare to their integrity. Can the kingdom - 
o f our Lord Jesus Christ be so dependent upon the king- 
doms of this world, as that it cannot subsist, if any be ad- 
mitted to civil preferment or to preach his gospel without 
giving such security for their behavior towards it? In what 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 25 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

part of the New Testament do we find this alliance be- 
tween church and state founded, — so that a man cannot 
be found qualified for any office in the one, without first be- 
coming a member of the other? It is but reasonable to 
have some New Testament warrant"; in a matter of so great 
importance. Arguments taken from convenience, and the 
alteration of circumstances, will not bear any weight, witlt 
an enlightened and sincere conscience ; till it is made good, 
once for all, that the alterations of the kingdoms of this 
world, make a change in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus 
Christ ! Novel mongers, often have affirmed, as an excuse 
for this innovation, that our circumstances are much altered: 
since the time of our Saviour, and his apostles ; which is 
undoubtedly true ; but this, we trust, does not lead to their 
inference, that the laws of Christ's kingdom have un- 
dergone any alteration. There have been many great 
alterations since the Magna Charta of England was 
granted ; yet, that has been allowed to be the foundation 
of their civil privileges to the present hour. And if it be 
true, as has been often stated, their constitution would be 
destroyed, if this was taken away. The New Testament 
is the Magna Charta of the Church of God, which is the 
kingdom of Jesus Christ ; if once we make encroachments 
upon it, then the liberties of the Christian Church are at 
an end. In scripture account, adding or diminishing are 
equally destructive of privilege ; and I think, before ad- 
ditions or any thing is taken from these laws and rules of 
Jesus Christ, and his apostles ; they should be proved first 
defective and insufficient, or redundant. And if either of 
these can be made evident, the divinity of the scriptures 
will be at an end, and there will be no gospel congregation, 
on earth. 

There has been, at times, much noise about the increase 
and spreading of infidelity ; and none have made more noise 
concerning it, than those who have been the principal agents 
in bringing it to pass. When ghostly fathers in councils, 

A K 



26 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

and bishops in convocations, have made so free with the 
scriptures, as to add to the worship of God, so many 
"decent" appendages, that never were appointed by Christ, 
nor by his apostles, and at the same time attempt to prove 
the necessity of these innovations and appendages, — the 
legitimate inference from this, is very natural and plain — 
fhat the scriptures are not perfect in things belonging to 
Christian duty. If any man may begin to add any one 
-thing which is not specified in the word of God, who can 
tell where the end may be? Has the Holy Spirit been so 
exact in all things pertaining to faith and practice among 
Christians ; and yet been deficient as to what is decent and 
comely in the service of Godj and as to the periods and 
manner in which we are to meet to worship him ? What 
a blasphemous reflection this, upon the Holy Spirit of the 
Most High God ! The apostles of our Lord must have 
been rude and unpolished mortals indeed, to have had no 
rules of decency and order, as to times, places, and periods 
for their worship of the Almighty ! Strange, that they 
should have been so faithful and jealous in all matters 
which Christ deemed of importance, and yet left us in the 
dark as to what many now-a-days consider indispensables ! 
I am inclined to think, after all, that it will ultimately ap- 
pear, that though the apostles had been fishermen, and were 
not learned like many modern teachers, that the Holy Ghost 
who inspired them, knew what was necessary, decent, and 
orderly; and much better what was well pleasing to God, 
than all the modern councils and convocations that will 
ever be known on earth. It is no hard matter to account 
for infidelity, and never has been, when those who have as- 
sumed sacred functions, have made thus free to alter and add 
at their pleasure, in things pertaining to our holy religion. 
What could such as are inquiring and unsettled in their 
principles, infer from these foul changes, but that there is 
nothing certain in Divine revelation. Now is it not using 
men as though they were asses indeed, to tell them they 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 27 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

have a complete revelation of the will of God, in the scrip- 
tures ; and then proceed to impose many things upon them, 
which are nowhere mentioned in that revelation 1 What, 
say to me, in one breath, the will of God is plain and per- 
fect in all things pertaining to holiness ; and with the next, 
allege that it cannot sufficiently direct us into truth, and 
guard us against error, unless it is set forth by a certain 
council, or convocation, or assembly, in, for instance, " thir- 
ty-nine articles, or thirty- three chapters," sounds, in our 
ears, very much like a contradiction. Much need have 
men to be strong in faith, who are'thus required to believe 
without evidence. Rome has been far in the practice of 
absurdities, but she never required any other foundation, 
except implicit faith to build them all upon ; what is not 
manifestly evident in the word of God, to every man, who 
is required to give his assent, can never be an article of his 
faith; he may be so complaisant in his words and public 
profession, as to believe as the church believes ; but he is 
an infidel at heart, notwithstanding such complaisance. 

But why should men thus be led into temptation, to pre- 
varicate before God ? Were there open access to church 
offices and preferments, to such as professed to believe the 
scriptures, and were found qualified ; some might still be 
infidels, it is true ; but the church here, would have no 
hand in making them such ; and there is the strongest rea- 
son to believe that infidelity could never be reared upon 
the doctrines of the apostles, as Jesus Christ is their chief 
corner stone. The purity of the sacred oracles, when di- 
rectly presented to the conscience, is more likely to present 
prevarication, than any human compositions ; in all which, 
there is some reason for suspecting there may be a mistake- 
So long as the pure oracles of God, were the only creed of 
the church or congregation of believers, we find the mem- 
bers more candid and sincere, than they ever have been 
since. As soon as the doctrine of revelation began to be 
clothed with a fig-leaf-human dress, it ceased to strike the 



28 , "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL EONUS. 

mind with such reverence and Godly fear; shortly after, 
men began to make free with sin, and to fmd church au- 
thority for committing it. At last, this produced indulgen- 
ces for any and every kind of wickedness ! Now, what 
influence could articles of religion, framed by such men, 
have, who, when they were forming canons for the church, 
at the same time were forming licenses for all kinds of wick- 
edness and enormities 1 Even in England, it is not diffi- 
cult to find the same authority that has authorized and 
sanctioned the book of canons, meanwhile authorizing a 
book of sports, by which a license is given for any who 
please to profane the Sabbath, to the dishonor of Christians 
of every name. Would any .person, of the least consid- 
eration, attempt to reconcile two things so absolutely con- 
trary the one to the other, viz: articles of religion, and yet 
a license to break them, in their constant practice^ It 
would, therefore, clearly, have been next to a miracle, if 
infidelity had not gained ground, when it has received such 
strength and support from the leaders in religion. Out of 
the same mouths, could not, consistently, come, both bles- 
sing and cursing — laws for religion, and a license for im- 
piety. Can any people be accounted of any other charac- 
ter but that of Issachar, in the text, who suffer such reli- 
gious slavery and absurdity to be imposed upon them? Is 
the word of God imperfect, that it cannot direct men in all 
matters of religion, without it is clothed with human inven- 
tions, and the authority of the church 1 He is a Christian, 
who submits to the yoke of Christ — but a slave, who takes 
on any other. Shall men dare impose any other burdens 
than the " easy and light burden" which has been offered 
by the Saviour 1 Now, therefore, let us be Christians — not 
slaves ; not couch down between two burdens ; but stand 
fast in that liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free ; 
and not suffer ourselves to be entangled in any yoke of 
bondage. To conclude : whenever men are required to be- 
lieve any thing upon human authority in matters of reli- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 29 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOfcS AND ASSES. 

gion ; or to worship God, in any other manner than they 
are required in the scriptures, it is a burden of religious 
slavery, and not the yoke of Christ. They do not deserve 
to be recognized as rational creatures, to say nothing of 
Christian character, who tamely give up their reason and 
their Bible, to the hands' of religious seducers and oppres- 
sors. Well do they deserve a burden of a religious slavery, 
who thus tamely couch down to take it on. But will you 
part with common sense — give up your right of private 
judgment to the dictates of religious loco focos ? Rather 
emulate the character of Napthali, who is represented as 
"a hind let loose," an asserter of liberty; but " Issachar 
is a strong ass, forever — he will couch down between two 
burdens. O ! my God — give all men a knowledge of their 
privileges ; and wisdom, and zeal, and skill, to maintain 
them; and to Thy name, be glory, forever, amen. 



SEKMON II. 



GEN. XLIX, 14 : 

ISSACHAR IS A STRONG ASS, COUCHING DOWN BETWEEN TWO 

BURDENS. 

We can have no objection to this pressure upon any class 
of its subjects ; let it bare hard upon them, until they learn 
their own interest, and shake it off. But still, I could de- 
voutly wish, that Issachar's children had been all appointed 
to death, in the first generation ; yet, infinite wisdom had 
otherwise ordained, and I must, (no doubt, ungraciously,) 
submit. Yes, a very numerous offspring of his descend- 
ants, still disgrace this footstool of God; men, to this hour, 
are dupes and beasts of burden, even in nations called 
Christian. The sons of Issachar, are in the church, and 
in the state; in all churches and states, — from the min- 
ions of Princes and Presidents, — Prime Ministers, and 
Presbyters, — Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, and Clergy, — 
throughout Christendom. The seed of Issachar fills all 
the houses of nobles, knights and squires ; and some of 
them eat at their tables, while many serve behind them. 
There is scarcely an office in what is called, falsely — the 
church, or under any crown, but some of that ignoble 
progeny, possess it in all countries. The courts, and the 
convocations, the church, and the theatre, are alike cram- 
med with Issachar's descendants ; from the conclave, in the 
Vatican and Cathedral, down to the smallest dissenting con- 
gregation, we may see thousands deceived and debased by 



32 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

some of the long eared loco foco sons of Issachar, in Place. 
In all places of public concourse, the beautiful children of 
Issachar, make the greater portion of the parties ; whoever 
attends any place of public concourse, may see for himself, a 
great proportion so stupid and thoughtless, that they every 
day bring themselves under and submit to dupery, and ex- 
penses, sacrifices, and burdens, which a little foresight and 
energy might most easily have prevented. 

At the same time, it must be admitted, that there are 
many burdens fixed upon men, by the stupidity of bygone 
generations, which even those who would, cannot so easi- 
ly, get clear of. Many such, are seen and endured in 
our own times. May the Lord help such, as are forced to 
any drudgery of slavery against their inclination, and give 
them a speedy and eternal deliverance. Our English an- 
cestors only about two hundred years since, more or less, 
lived under a government, which promised all the subjects 
a consideration of grievances, if they were faithfully repre- 
sented ; it was surely, then, one might say, their own fault 
if they bore burdens. Their burdens, nevertheless, were 
often heavy, and their cry for consideration and redress, 
was loud and long too — but proper and just redress was 
not obtained. Some have suggested that they, after all, 
did not properly prepare themselves for deliverance, or that 
they did not apply for it with sufficient earnestness, and 
make use of the proper means; but, for a long time groaned 
like asses, and made no such effort as the occasion re- 
quired at their hands. Now, be this as it may, I shall now 
proceed to review some of the grievous burdens, which our 
ancestors at that time in England, bore, and some of the 
methods which many among them tried, to get them re- 
moved. 

In the first place, there was the burden of taxes upon 
the poor, which they were not able to bear. This needs no 
proof, for it was sufficiently felt, that they were compelled 
to bare heavy duties, on the very necessaries of life. It 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 33 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

might have been, for aught we know, in some measure, re- 
quired, for paying public expenses, that they were thus bur- 
dened ; but there certainly ought to have been more regard 
paid to the strength of the beasts of burden. All asses are 
not equally strong — they should be burdened only accord- 
ing to their strength and abilities. Meat, drink, and cloth- 
ing, should have been as easy as possible — things without 
which they could not live, should have had but a small tax 
upon them. The poor cannot well live with less necessary 
food, than the rich ; neither ought they to go naked. There 
must have beerl some particular reason why they did not have 
the necessaries of life according to their need — the very 
shoes for their feet were taxed. They enjoyed no lights in 
their windows, without paying a duty to the government. 
I may be here under a mistake, as they might have paid 
for their windows and candles, but not for the light of them. 
Still, the window, the candle, and the light, are so nearly 
related, that in many cases, we cannot well separate them. 
But whatever might have been the theory, in these things, 
there were none so stupid as not to feel them in practice. 
There were several things, we think, which might have 
borne duty better, than those by which the poor lived. 
They should have made all the superfluities of life, pay, 
but why should they oppress the poor 1 Even asses, have 
a claim to pity ; the merciful man is merciful towards his 
beast. We admit, there is no reasoning against power, 
when there is no law to restrain it ; but as they had laws, 
professedly securing each one's privileges, why should any 
subject have been oppressed? They certainly had safe 
ground for complaint, even while they had no reason for 
expecting immediate redress. All will readily suppose, that 
there should be some proportion between the burdens laid 
upon the poor, and the dearness of the necessary provisions, 
and the quantity of current money ; one of these, should 
certainly have taken place ; for without such an order, their 
taxes could not be lessened ; provisions could be no cheaper, 



34 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

nor could money have been more plenty. As to the theory 
of these matters and things, or how they might have been 
ballanced, in the ingenious economy of their prime minis- 
ter; that is not our province to say; but we think every one 
might have said, when he was oppressed, that he was not 
free. When they were doing to their utmost endeavors to 
serve their king and country, it was hard that they should 
have been scarcely able to subsist, when the quantity of 
provisions in their kingdom, was abundant. 

When demands were made upon the lower classes, for 
the ordinary rate of such duty, as was then imposed upon 
our English ancestors, by the government, they of course, 
were obliged to pay, or be distressed ; but they could neither 
raise their wages, nor lower the price of provisions. And 
if they complained, they did not for a long time, complain 
so as to be heard ; and when they resisted, they were be- 
labored, like asses; or when, through hunger and want, 
they were compelled to rise up to relieve themselves, they 
had to wait the issue of a trial, in some court of justice, as 
it was called, where the consequences, in many cases, were 
too horrible to be related ! God of mercy ! no people would 
rise in mobs to disturb the peace, if they could avoid it, who 
had been so ready in time of war, to hazard their lives to 
preserve it! It was pinching hunger ', that was the cause 
of their risings ! There might have been some few, who 
joined in riots without cause, — but, at that period, British 
subjects loved their king, and country too dearly, uneces- 
sarily to disturb the peace. Reasonable duty all good sub- 
jects, are ever disposed to obey ; but when the weight thus 
lay upon the poor, where was the reasonableness of the 
tax? Indeed, it was no reflection upon their king, that the 
poor were oppressed, for he did not make the laws ; the 
subjects oppressed one another ; like the fishes of the sea, 
the great, powerful, loco focos, devoured the small fry; 
there was only this difference between fishes and these land 
sharks — the latter destroyed by law. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 35 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

We have not mentioned the names and number of the 
burden of taxes, with which they were oppressed ; they are 
well known. The very paper they wrote on, did not es- 
cape the excise. That, however, might have been less 
objectionable than other things ; as men may live without 
writing at all; but they cannot live without food and rai- 
ment. In divers particulars, the poorer sort of subjects 
were not free ; but were obliged to couch down between 
two burdens ; the one of taxes, and the other an accursed 
artificial scarcity, of the necessaries of life. Yet, they all 
the while, had this liberty, above people under absolute 
power; to utter their complaints without danger, provided 
they made no rash attempts to ease themselves of their bur- 
dens. But, for all this burden of taxes, there was some 
show of reason; the government, bad as it was, must be 
supported — the constant debt of the nation must be paid 
off ; pensioners must be maintained — and clerks' dues must 
be discharged. All these things, the valet de chambere, of 
a minister of state, understands, better than I can pretend 
to. But there was : — 

Secondly, a burden which many of his majesty's sub- 
jects were obliged to couch down under, for which we can 
see no reason at all : to pay for bread and wine, they never 
tasted ; to entertain people they had no business, nor con- 
cern with, whatever. Though it was law, it was not jus- 
tice, to make persons pay for other's provisions, who were 
abundantly able to do it themselves. But why should they 
pay for the bread and wine made use of at Easter, and not 
also for what was used every other month in the year ? 
This, perhaps, was meant for the year ; still, it was far too 
much for those to pay, who made no use of it. They were 
told they might use it, if they would ! They might, in- 
deed, if they would ! Were they to be compelled to eat, 
by paying? Did the government boast of liberty, and yet 
compel the people, in matters of religion, by such taunt- 
ing with their best feelings. True, they were not compel- 



36 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

led to eat and drink, but they were compelled to pay. And 
we may ask, where is the reason for that? If it had been 
charity, it would have been due ; but where was the right- 
eousness of the demand ? Ah ! it savored much of a law 
excogitated at Rome, several hundred years before ! We 
admit it is reasonable for every communicant to be bound 
to pay ; but why should dissenters have a tax imposed upon 
them? Especially when they had no free-hold estate. 
Must every householder pay for what he never has any 
benefit by? This is, indeed, such a burden, as the Scribes 
and Pharisees laid, in old times, upon the common people. 
But here, let us ask, what law of Christ and his Apostles, 
was all this, founded upon? It should be founded, some- 
where, in the New Testament ; for it relates to Christianity. 
Non-conformists, would have paid it for conscience sake, 
had they been shown that it was required in the Gospel. 
It was, surely, neither decent nor orderly, to make a feast 
and oblige every one to pay for it, whether their conscience 
allowed of their doing it or not? This, was using our fore- 
fathers like asses with a vengeance. Such would very ill 
deserve communion with their Savior, as were not willing 
to bear their part, in the expense of the outward elements 
of that communion. Call it charity, or prove it scriptural, 
and all good christians would have freely paid it for con- 
science sake. But, for their money, it was reasonable that 
they should have had some satisfaction for it. Any gov- 
ernment, or any people, not past all shame, ought to have 
blushed to demand a thing for a religious use, which they 
could produce no warrant for, from the word of God. The 
love of money is the root of all evil ; and the passion for 
it, has prevailed no where more, than near the altar. Ah ! 
those Priests ! They made their dupes, pay for every 
thing — they caught them as soon as they came into the 
world, and never lost sight of them, except some broke 
away, until they returned to dust. Mothers, had to pay 
for bearing them, and fathers for having them babtized ! 



"THINGS NEW AND "OLD," 37 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

At their marriage, and at their burial, the loco foco Priests 
must be paid. When they came into the world, and when 
they went out of it, these clerical loco foco's set a price upon 
their heads! And yet, all this did not satisfy — this, indeed, 
might, in some cases, have been forgiven, — but as long as 
the people's heads were on their bodies, they must pay the 
priests, every year, for using them — so that they could 
truly say, to their priests, all our things are yours — you 
must taste of all our substance, the tithe of all we have 
that is valuable, and suitable for you, is yours. You tell 
us tithes were appointed under the law, for the tribe of 
Levi, and the sons of the priesthood. Aye! but here they 
might have turned and said to them, ye loco foco Levites, 
our master, Jesus Christ, was not of your tribe. He came 
from a tribe which did not serve at the altar ; and he did 
not institute any priests, nor give any laws concerning 
tithes. As, therefore, we are christians, you can make no 
just demands of this sort, from us. Let such as adhere to 
the Jewish system, pay tithes, — but what have we to do, 
with the sons of Levi, under the gospel? Oh, Lord Jesus, 
our Savior — thou earnest into the world to set thy follow- 
ers, free from bondage and slavery ; to give them deliver- 
ance from the law of Moses ; but our puritan ancestors, for 
a long time, groaned beneath a load of slavery, which the 
gospel no where warrants, but which a government, called 
after thy name, fixed upon them by law. Thy Apostles, 
received no tithes — for they were christians ; meek and 
humble, like thee \ — they loved to set men free ; but never, 
to oppress them. They testified against the ceremonial 
law, at the peril of their lives — and proclaimed to all 
christians, that law did not profit — and to such as ob- 
served it, Christ did profit them nothing. But when our 
fathers reasoned thus, they were met with the reply, very 
common with us, from our loco foco, (new school heritics.) 
"Circumstances are much altered since Apostolic times;" 
but we beleive the change, in circumstances referred to, has 



38 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL EONUS. 

not been for the better, but for the worse. Yes, it was a 
great burden, upon our fathers to be obliged to support a 
Jewish priesthood, under the gospel. — Priesthood ! Our 
fathers had to go far back to find such an office. There 
had been none, since Jesus Christ put an end to it. It was, 
exclusively, an Old Testament office. In the New Testa- 
ment all believers are priests — a royal priesthood. But it 
was of no use, to oppose the English law, with gospel dec- 
larations — the high church liturgy, cried continually, we 
have priests, and they must have tithes. 

Self-denial, is an essential part of our religion — let a 
man deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me — 
which originally, was understood to mean, that believers, 
were not to be conformed to the world, nor to seek great 
things, for themselves ; — but it seems to have been found 
since, in different places, and ages, to signify the contrary 
— in some cases, it means, that it is the highest evidence of 
self-denial, to enjoy a living of several thousands a year, 
and do no mischief with it; that there is more humility, 
in rich, well furnished tables, when a man is able to afford 
them, than in moderation, temperance, and abstinence — 
that it is, indeed, a greater evidence of a true christian to 
behave well, in the midst of riches, than in poverty. Our 
admitting here, that'it is a rarer thing, for people to behave 
well, in the posession of wealth, does not however elevate 
the piety of the loco focos of the high church, at all, — and 
never can be any evidence of true religion. We have very 
little reason to challenge such as have their good things in 
this life, when they do not live by oppressing others by un- 
just claims and demands; but when such as make a show 
of religion, in will worship, make others who are not con- 
cerned with them, bear the expense of it; it is our duty to 
put them in mind, of what they should be. Must chris- 
tians, good subjects, be loaded like asses by priests, as the 
Jews were, when Jesus Christ came into the world? When 
they asked privileges, our fathers would cheerfully have 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 39 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

paid — but after paying his Majesty's duty, what reason 
was there, for paying for other people's religion, which 
neither they, nor any other beings could have been benefit- 
ted by? When religion, as in their times, is turned into a 
policy, and made subservient to private interest, it will ever 
bring tyranny along with it. Oppression is inseparably 
connected with religion, when it is made the tool of un- 
godly ambition, and the road to preferment. I have never 
been able to understand, as the New Testament was given 
as a rule for gospel churches, or congregations of believers, 
why Providence did not condescend to give us an example, 
in what state of preferment, the members of the church, 
should be held; for if any of the several, state religious 
establishments, be, gospel churches, there is no pattern of 
them, whatever, in the New Testament. Antiquity, makes 
nothing to the purpose, when the scriptures are silent. One 
might reasonably suppose, that to affect a state, of dignity, 
riches, power, and splendor, some scripture precept, or pre- 
cedent, would be requisite to authorize the attempt. But, 
said their opponents, circumstances did not permit — the 
world was heathen ; and religion had no magistrate to pro- 
tect it. This' was true — but God could have given us an 
example, of the state churches should be in. At least he 
could have told us in his word, what he intended should 
be the highest pitch of church preferment. If he has left 
this matter to the discretion of men, we shall never know 
when it has reached its height ; and there is nothing cer- 
tain about it. As we have an example of gospel congrega- 
tions, or churches, in the days of the Apostles, and there 
are no other prescribed in the scriptures, we, I think, with 
our authodox fathers in England, may, very wisely, con- 
clude, that there can be no other. 

It would be an attempt to stigmatize the providence and 
wisdom of God, to affirm, that the rules of preferment in 
the church of Christ, were left to be settled, after he with- 
drew the Spirit of Inspiration, without so much as giving 



40 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the least hint, which favors any of those, large societies, in 
the world, called national churches. If men, he compelled 
to pay for the support of such ecclesiastical dignities, it is 
but right that they should be shown some authority for it, 
in the New Testament; on any other ground, if the mag- 
istrate pleased, he might with the same propriety, require 
us to support the priests of Jupiter-Ammon ; and it 
would equally bind the conscience of a believer in the New 
Testament, to obey the law, for paying tithes, to bishops 
and their clergy. To pretend a right to demand church 
dues from dissenters from the church, more than the con- 
stitution, rightly understood, and the gospel gives, was in- 
deed, treating our fathers like asses — a foul attempt to de- 
prive them of both their money, and their senses. 

Though men of any religion at all, will not disobey the 
laws of the magistrate, yet, they cannot believe, unless 
they give up the use of their reason, that the church has 
any other claim, but what the magistrate gives her,— and 
even when they pay their dues to such, as it is his Majes- 
ty's pleasure to honor ; they cannot help thinking, and 
saying, they are ill-applied, and the king is badly informed. 
Christians, though they may bear their burdens with pa- 
tience, when they cannot, obtain redress, would yet be 
meaner than asses, to bear them long, tamely, when they 
might obtain it. It is plain to us, that had the dissenters 
from the church of England, in a body, long before they 
took the name of Puritans, faithfully presented their case 
to the Parliament, they would have obtained a deliverance 
from many of the grievances, which they couched down 
under. Could his majesty, and the great council of the 
nation, have persisted in its being reasonable for peaceable 
and worthy subjects, to be compelled to bear such ungodly 
burdens? Especially where they took upon themselves the 
expense of maintaining their own way of worshipping God? 
What! Insist on their paying for the godless state establish- 
ment, beside paying every dollar, the Lord Jesus Christ 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 41 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

had required of them? If that part of the subjects, called 
Protestant dissenters, were fit for many purposes, for the 
good of the nation, in a civil capacity ; why should they 
not enjoy as extensive religious liberty, as they did civil 
privileges? Or was there any reason, why they should 
pay, equally with the members, in support of that infa- 
mous establishment, from the pomp and splendor of which 
no human being will ever find he has been spiritually ben- 
efitted. Although the dissenters were thus burdened with- 
out their consent, as they could not prevent, nor hinder the 
legislature from imposing upon them, having none to rep- 
resent them in the great council of the nation; still it would 
have been stupidity in them not to have complained. It 
was, doubtless, a burden upon all such as did not, nor 
could in conscience, join in communion with the church of 
England, yet be obliged to pay to support an ostentatious 
establishment, without any warrant from the New Testa- 
ment. But when men have the hardihood to impose upon 
our consciences, we cannot think it strange if they proceed 
to impose upon our purses. And, indeed, we may rea- 
sonably ask, what a contemptible religion that must be in 
the view of any intelligent christian, which stands in need 
of any thing to support it, but what proceeds from volun- 
tary consent, and sincere good will? Is it not strange, that 
men should ever think that the christian religion cannot 
maintain its ground, by the same means through the use of 
which it gained it? But perad venture it may be said, that 
inspiration, and the extraordinary providence of God, made 
it gain ground here, but when those ceased, there was need 
of some other security? Indeed! then we may say, we 
have changed much for the worse, if human associations 
and organizations, and legal establishments have come, and 
blasphemously usurped the province of God's extraordinary 
assistance ! 

But we here, may affirm, that since the revelation of God 
to man, is long since completed, and we are assured by 



42 "THINGS NEW AND OLD 



OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

/ 



Himself, that we have all the dictates of his will, which 
are needed for our guidance into all truth, and the addi- 
tional promise of his Spirit, to lead us to it, that this is 
sufficient, in our view, to secure the preservation of the reli- 
gion of the Bible in this world, till time shall be terminated 
by the sound of the last trump. All that human laws, or 
human associations, and organizations, can do. in securing 
and preserving our religion, is to make men say, they are 
religious. Such agencies, can never reach the conscience, 
nor make any man believe a doctrine till he has that evi- 
dence of it which it is the sole province of the Spirit of 
God, to bestow. Yes, indeed, religion is better secured 
without establishments than with them — but we know, 
and so do all our loco foco priests, that good, fat livings and 
benefices, are not. The naked promise of God, is with us, 
a sufficient security gfor religion. The church, which is the 
congregation of all reaKbelievers, in all time, is built upon 
and by the^doctrine, of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus 
Christ himself, being the chief corner stone. 

In the days of the Apostles, the church of God, had not 
received the New Testament oracles into her possession. 
The Apostles were sent, under the constant control of the 
Holy Spirit, as really to communicate the mind of the 
Lord, as to convert men to his plan of salvation. Evan- 
gelists, and other teachers, in that extraordinary age, were 
also given by God, and sent by the Apostles, to those pla- 
ces where the -gospel had been received. These mes- 
sengers were sent, and attended every where, by the Ho- 
ly Ghost, until the whole of the sacred Oracles were given, 
and received by believers, or the church. The Evangel- 
ists were endowed with the spirit of infalible interpreta- 
tion, as the Apostles had been endowed with the spirit of 
unerring inspiration. These elders, teachers or evangelists, 
had no liberty to depart from the Apostolical instructions ; 
but were obliged to hold, fast, to the form of sound words 
or doctrine, which they had received from them. Their 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 43 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

use, in the churches, or among believers, was to determine 
what was, or was not, truly apostolical. By such evan- 
gelists, it is easy to see that the christian churches, or con- 
gregations, would be preserved from receiving any spurious 
writings or innovations from new school men, or loco focos 
of their times, in place of, or in connection with, the dic- 
tates of Divine inspiration. But, when revelation was com- 
pleted and received by the church, then religion was es- 
tablished ; and now, that word, which from the mouths of 
the apostles, converted so many to Christianity, was left for 
their complete confirmation in the faith, and for the conver- 
sion of the world. Hence, there is need of no farther in- 
spiration, since we have all which the apostles received, 
and which God considered of any power or mightiness, in 
the work of pulling down all the strong holds and immagi- 
nations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the 
kingdom of God. All this armory, which was then in the 
hands of the apostles, is now in the hands of the church, 
or the congregation of believers, to the end of time. 

We think the apostle has himself, given a satisfactory 
reason why the Christian church may continue to stand. 
This congregation is girded with the whole armor of God ; 
whereby they are able to resist the firey darts of the 
wicked one ; and to stand fast, in the evil day. The whole 
passage deserves a place here : " Wherefore, take unto you 
the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand 
in the evil day ; and having done all, to stand. Stand, 
therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and 
having on the breast plate of righteousness, and your feet 
shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; above 
all things, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall 
be able to quench all the firery darts of the wicked ; and 
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, 
which is the word of God." Can there be a better estab- 
lishment of religion, than this ? Can there be any better 
security for Christianity, than the word of God? The 



44 ''THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

word of God, is unchangable, and cannot alter; neither is 
it possible for the gates of hell, to prevail against his 
church, though there never should have been, or never 
should be, any such thing as a civil establishment, or civil 
association, or organization, in the world. Believers are 
never in the dark from deficiency of inspiration, in that 
sense, in which the aposlles had it; for in that sense, they 
do not need it ; as the word of God, is mighty for all the 
purposes of conviction, conversion, edification, and frui- 
tion, to the church, to the end of the world. 

Such carnal weapons, as acts of legislatives bodies, and 
civil tinkerings, associations, organizations, &c, &c, our 
religion does not need, nor can they be so applied unto it, 
as not to do mischief to both the souls and bodies of men. 
The weapons of our warfare, are not carnal ; yet mighty 
— to pull down ! And of such weapons of defence, as the 
apostles had, every Christian is now in full and complete 
possession. Decrees of councils, therefore, and the so called 
"canons" of the church, are but carnal weapons; as yet, 
they have always been framed through the manifest influ- 
ence of carnal policy, by men who possessed, altogether, 
an undue share of influence in the management of the 
kingdoms and affairs of this world ; and who, therefore, 
could not be expected to keep strictly to the rules of the 
kingdom of Christ. The most charitable construction that 
can be put upon anything, and all, that ever is done by 
men in the way of forming laws, in favor of Christianity, 
is, that they are building hay and stuble, upon the founda- 
tion 6f the apostles ! Oh ! what Issachers, would such 
church-guides make us ? by laying upon our shoulders such 
ponderous burdens, as their ecclesiastical constitutions — 
human creeds, and human articles of association, and or- 
ganizations, when every child, who reads, understandingly, 
his New Testament, may easily see the pitiable and con- 
temptible, and execrable, futility, of all such things. If 
we are the disciples of men, we are not the disciples of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," - 45 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

Civil burdens maybe borne — but religious slavery is 
insupportable ; to bear either, tamely, evinces an #ss-like 
disposition. With respect to the first, when there is no 
remedy, nor hopes of redress, it is Christian-like, to exer- 
cise patience, and be obedient to the powers which exercise 
authority; but nought else but stupidity will couch down 
and take a burden. When a burden is laid on by violence, 
or by the iniquity of the times, Christians should be pa- 
tient sufferers, like Christ, and his apostles; but when re- 
lief and freedom can be obtained, it is meanness — debase- 
ment, indeed, to couch down to servitude. When the times 
permit, and the laws allow Christians to assert their civil 
rights, they should not refrain from doing so, through mean- 
ness of spirit. Like Paul, they may tell such as attempt to 
burden them, " We are free born." As to religious burdens, 
with respect to the conrcience, they cannot, with compla- 
cency, be borne at all. The consciences of Christians, 
can have but one Master — they cannot yield obedience to 
another. It would be criminal presumption, to admit a part- 
ner with the Holy Ghost, in the government of their con- 
science. Whether they are things which God has, or has 
not, commanded, no man, nor any body of men, has a right 
to impose obedience upon us, by any human contrivance. 
If they are commanded by God, let them show the authori- 
ty, and rest there. It is superrogatory and impious, to add 
to Divine authority. Where burdens are not commanded, it 
is high presumption and profanation, in any human authori- 
ty, to attempt to lay them, as the. subjects are only accounta- 
ble here, to the great Judge of all. And, indeed, upon these 
principles of imposition, every authority which imposes, 
lays a snare for itself, whenever the times happen to change. 
Yes, whenever the intolerant imposer, is bereft of power, 
these other hands which possess it, will return his own 
measure of imposition, with a vengeance, back again upon 
him. And here, there is no just reason for him to complain, 
however unjust it may be ; for this imposure is only doing 



46 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

as he had done; and he, in his turn, is now receiving the 
same measure, he so liberally gave to others. Whoever 
insists upon his. having a right to oblige others to receive 
his religious opinions upon the pain of any loss whatever, 
where the hand of God gives no direction, should be ac- 
counted an infidel towards God, and an oppressor of his 
fellow men. Since the word of God, was given, to make 
the man of God perfect ; and is profitable for all things in 
religion, — do not they accuse God of folly, and his word 
of imperfection, who make fences against error, which they 
account more fit, to guard against heresy, than the scrip- 
tures 1 And is it not treating men like asses, to tell them, 
in one breath, the scriptures are profitable for all things in 
matters of religion; and then, with the next breath, tell 
them they are under the necessity of receiving dogmas of 
human ingenuity, to preserve the purity of the faith. Is 
not this a mere Penelope's web — a doing and undoing at 
the same time. What cause is there, that we should intro- 
duce any other system of religion, either with, or beside, 
the scriptures, if they are sufficient to make men perfect in 
all things pertaining to Godliness ? Do men believe they 
can express themselves more intelligibly, than the Holy 
Ghost? Or that they can commend the truth with more 
force to the consciences of their fellow men ? The most that 
can lawfully be done, with any human composition, how- 
ever good it may be, is, to leave it to man's consideration ; 
and to suffer them to examine it, in the light of the word 
of God ; but, if they cannot find it to be consistent with 
that word, they are at perfect liberty, to reject and con- 
demn it. We hold therefore, that all civil, as well as reli- 
gious impositions are to be attributed, at first, to the natu- 
ral slothfulness and ignorance of those imposed upon, who 
did not take the pains of minding their own private buisi- 
ness, and natural rights. Mankind, in the several ages of 
the world, have conducted much like those men who give 
themselves up to licentiousness, and commit the care of 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 47 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

their estates, to the management of stewards, who at length 
become masters, and make their masters, their servants. 
And such as are by the mass of the community, exalted to 
preferment and power, unless they be truly wise and virtu- 
ous — unless they are constantly watched and restrained by 
those who have given them their exaltation, will be left, 
under temptation, to act the part of Phaeton, who, when 
he had obtained the direction of his father's chariot, set 
the world on fire. 

One cause of the complaints of our Puritanical fathers, 
as to civil and religious oppression, was, that they looked 
not sufficiently to themselves; but thought, when they had 
elected civil and religious governors, they might all fall 
asleep, in pleasure, indolence, and inattention to their pri- 
vate and public affairs. We have no doubt, but civil and 
religious governors were designed for ease to the public; 
and when they perform their duty, they are a public bene- 
fit and blessing; but whenever they degenerate in their ad- 
ministration into imposters, loco focos and tyrants; as 
much of the blame rests upon the community, as upon 
them ; for had those who employed them, watched over 
them as they ought to have done, and given their timely 
and salutary admonition, they might have prevented their 
ruining, both their own souls, and the best interests of the 
public. The indolence and sloth of a people, as also a de- 
lirious pursuit of visionary theories, in either literature, 
science, philosophy, politics or religion, not only afford a 
temptation to those already in office, to turn usurpers, but 
actually present the strongest temptation, to all reckless 
loco foco restless master spirits, amung them, to make an 
effort to seat themselves in power. 

In illustration of these positions, we need only refer to 
the history of the times of our puritanic fathers in Eng- 
land. At that period, when they called England the fre- 
est country then known in the world, as their commission- 
, ers to parliament, were elected by the community, and were 



48 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

not to be perpetual dictators * we should suppose it might 
have been easy to make them rule with discretion, by put- 
ting them in mind of the brevity of their power; but the 
people neglected to do this, and made no proper exertions 
to obtain a redress of their grievanees. It was nothing to 
the purpose, therefore, for the oppressed to cry out against 
the government, and the prime minister, when they them- 
selves were to blame. When the time of a general election 
came on, it was in the power of the subjects to assert their 
own liberty. When those men, who ruled by their wealth, 
and whose business it was, at that age, to corrupt their fel- 
low subjects, by bribery, and cheat them out of their lib- 
erty by flattery and corruption, came to ask their voices in 
their election, they should have despised their offers, and 
said, your money perish with you. Could it be supposed, 
that such men would take care of their interests, who, in 
religion, sought to ruin their souls ; as they began with 
debauching their morals with drunkenness and perjury? 
Will that man have the least regard for your civil interest, 
and property, who first attempts to ruin your integrity and 
virtue 1 Will that man ever scruple to betray the liberties 
of his ' country, who teaches perjury, and follows bribery 
and corruption 1 It is at best, a bad beginning, when men 
mount to preferment by bribery and false-swearing ! What 
better was a country s— a city — or a borough there, at the 
period referred to, than a community of asses, which suf- 
fered themselves to be so cheated out of their privileges, by 
the dukes, knights, and squires, who came to water them 1 
Yes, when any of those who offered themselves candidates 
to counties and towns, for an election to parliament, came 
to solicit their votes, by making whole towns, as they did, 
swim in drunkenness, what other opinion could those gen- 
tlemen have of such drunken societies, who, for a few days 
of riot and gluttonry, sell their liberties — than that they 
were asses, that wanted to be watered ? But, we may ask, 
can that nation be accounted free, that can be so easily 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 49 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

duped and enslaved by drunkenness and bribery of any 
sort? Liberty is but a name, when in the hand of creatures 
governed by such mean propensities. When men are slaves 
to lusts, or slaves to parties, they are never free. Men 
who thus show that they will sell their souls, as well as 
bodies, will not be very apt to value their country. Where 
there is no virtue, there can be no liberty ; it is only licen- 
tiousness. But yet, Britain had a high-sounding name for 
liberty, at. the time referred to! "Pro Pudet!" At that 
period, it was the opinion of as wise and good men as then 
lived, that Britain, according to the privileges the people 
enjoyed, had more slaves in it, than there were in Turkey ! 
And under this aggravation, that Britain knew how to pre- 
vent it ! 

What Issachar, indeed, were those towns, and corpora- 
tions, who gave their votes to members of parliament, who 
neither feared God, nor loved them ; and who, by the meth- 
od used in obtaining an election, deserved, not only to lose 
the favor and esteem of good men, but to be execrated, 
everywhere, in all future time ! Whom then could the op- 
pressed blame for their oppression, but themselves? their own 
hands, made the fetters, by which they were bound. For, 
could it otherwise, have been expected, than that the dis- 
turbers, debauchers, and defrauders of cities, towns and 
corporations, would not be fit men to sit in the great coun- 
cil of those nations? 

During the drunken revels which they held for several 
weeks, they had ruined more morals, and corrupted more 
minds, than ever the best service performed by men, could 
compensate for, to their country. It certainly appears 
strange, that a majority of the people of England, at the 
time referred to, should act as though they supposed men 
could not be free to make choice of one to represent them 
in the high council of the nation, until they had been made 
slaves to drunkenness and corruption! Such an insult of- 
fered to their virtue, would be sufficient to make all wor- 
4 



50 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

thy subjects abhor the men \*ho dared to offer it ! What ! 
induce you to give up your reason, and consciousness of 
integrity, and then solicit your vote? Those towns, coun- 
ties, and corporations, richly deserved a burden of heavy 
taxes upon their window lights, and other property, who 
thus gave up the light of their understanding to such venal 
corruption. Those who expended so much money to ob- 
tain their election, made their dupes pay well for it, by 
joining a venal ministry, in taxing them for the benefit of 
a rich preferment. Had the servile members of cities, 
towns, and counties, consulted their own happiness and 
interest, as truly as they sometimes made a noise about 
them, they might have prevented many of the heavy im- 
positions under which they labored. Had they made it 
their business to chose worthy and good men, to represent 
them in parliament, with an assurance that they would 
support them while they made it their study to maintain 
their liberties ; but would despise them, the moment they 
betrayed the interests of their constituents, and the welfare 
of their country ; for place, or pension, or preferment ; they 
might have thereby laid restraint upon the venal disposi- 
tion of such as made a trade of selling their country for 
such preferments, under an aspiring and corrupt ministry. 
The solemn assurance that they should never again be 
elected, would have been a check upon them, which would 
have prevented them from joining their atrocious ministry. 
in hunting and fleecing the people, for preferments. But 
what have any people, reason to expect, from such candi- 
dates, who begin to serve them by debauchery and corrup- 
tion, but that their object is to sell their privileges to the 
highest bidder, when they have brought them to market ? 
Such characters well know how to pacify those whom they 
thus water and sell ; only return and make their towns and 
cities revel in drunkenness again, for a few weeks, and they 
atone for all their atrocious perfidies ; they can then return 
to their homes and employments, with the character of the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 51 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

best men in the world ! After this, it requires no more 
from them, than that they occasionally water their asses, 
to keep them good and true beasts of burden, ready to 
stoop down, to take on their burdens ! If some are more 
obstinate than the rest, and are not satisfied with an ordi- 
nary quantity of good liquor ; they know how to manage 
such asses ; they silence their noise, with some gift which 
is suited to their disposition. Issachar's character, was in- 
deed, applicable to the people of Britain at the time refer- 
red to — they were strong asses; loved drunkenness, in 
body and soul, and spirit, and kneeled to take on their bur- 
dens. 

Had not the larger portion of the people of those king- 
doms, been of Issachar's character, they would not have 
borne taxes so unreasonable. Surely there are many things 
fitter objects of taxation than the necessaries of life. The 
poorest man that lives, cannot subsist without meat and 
drink, shoes, clothes, and light ; yet, there, they had to pay 
heavy duties, for the sun that shined in through their win* 
dow, for the beer they drank, for the candles they used, 
and for the very shoes on their feet ! Truly, only those 
who opposed such burdens, were the friends of liberty. 
Those, therefore, when the general election came on, who 
would choose no man for a member of parliament, who 
would not give security that he would stand up for a repeal 
of the laws, by which they were oppressed, acted the part 
of wisdom ; and hence, as long as a majority acted on the 
other side, it was their own fault, to which their burdens 
were to have been attributed. They, therefore, stood re- 
corded for asses ; and ought to be so recorded through all 
generations. 

It would have been no disloyalty to their king, nor any 

way injurious to the laws of their country, had they given 

imperative instructions to those they chose for members of 

parliament. That course would have been much more 

, noble than taking bribes — or than that of rioting for days 



52 ''THINGS NEW AND OLD,'' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

in gluttony and drunkenness. They should have taught 
their loco foco deluders, that members of parliament were 
their servants, and the servants of their country ; and it 
was therefore but reasonable, they should be held accoun- 
table for their conduct. Yes, they should have given those 
men their instructions; and required them to abide by them r 
at the peril of their lives. When any duke, or lord, knight, 
or squire, came to solicit their votes by treats, and enter- 
tainments, they should have put them in mind of what 
they were about, and of what they ought to be. Should 
have gravely and corrodingly told them that none who 
make attempts upon the virtue and integrity of their fellow 
men, can ever be expected to be faithful, to their civil and 
religious interests; and that such ought to be shunned as 
the pestilence; — that no worse plague can ever enter a 
country, than such loco foco intruders, as seek to stain the 
purity and integrity of its inhabitants. 

How strange soever, it might seem, yet whole towns, 
and corporations, often flocked about a man, merely to ob- 
tain some private emolument for individuals, at the mani- 
fest jeopardizing of the public welfare; each concealing 
his real intention, that he might serve or please himself by 
some vile gratification. The same person, who thus en- 
deavored to corrupt them, and was at great expense to do 
it, invariably afterwards made them pay, most dearly for it, 
by imposing' a heavy tax, and thus brought back the mon- 
ey he had expended, with most enormous interest ; thus, in 
fact, all the towns, and counties in Britain, during several 
sessions of the parliament, bore this ungodly expense of 
their elections. By taxes on the two articles, lights, beer 
or ale, for fourteen years in succession, it was made to ap- 
pear that they received for their burdens, the benefit of the 
atmosphere as a medium for the smoke of their chimneys. 
Were such dissenters, from the establishment for conscienc€ 
sake, free, when they were obliged also to perform the office 
of church wardens, in the establishment, which they ab- 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 53 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

horred ? Now it is no light matter, at any time or place, 
for men to be under obligations to serve their country, and 
who yet must give up their conscience, or refuse the call. 
And when this is the case, as it was in Britain, it was the 
duty of all, in such circumstances, to have united in such 
a call for liberty of conscience as would have immediately 
reached the throne. Then, if they could not obtain re- 
dress, they would at least have had the satisfaction to re- 
flect that they had not been duped, nor borne their burdens 
like asses. Let every reader, ponder upon these things, and 
make the application for which they are designed, in these 
"loco foco times. 7 ' And may our ever blessed Father in 
heaven, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
speedily interpose, and reform and preserve our beloved 
church and country, from the disgrace and ruin with which 
they are now threatened. Amen. 



SERMON III. 



NUMBERS XXII, 21—30. 

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, 
and went with the princes of moab. and the ass said 
unto Balaam, u Am not I thine ass, upon which thou 

HAST RIDDEN, EVER SINCE I WAS THINE ? " 

Reader, thou knowest there are several methods of preach- 
ing, in practice, among the diverse professors of that gift ; 
but the principal ones seem to be only these two : to make 
some text of scripture, either the foundation or occasion 
of their discourse. It answers much the same purpose, 
whether a discourse be directly from the text, or only sug- 
gested by it. I imagine the readers of this discourse, will 
easily percieve which of these rules has been adopted by 
the preacher. Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled 
his ass. It is clear to us, that there must always be some 
matter of importance, to induce a man of Balaam's charac- 
ter, to be up so early ; and, no doubt, some pious purpose, 
is to be accomplished, when a prophet rises so soon in the 
morning. But we are immediately surprised to hear, that 
the anger of the Lord was kindled against the prophet ! 
But the reason is given — Balaam loved the wages of un- 
righteousness ; and rose, to obtain such wages, by cursing 
that people, whom the Lord had blessed ! 

And, indeed, the whole creation groaneth, and is in 
bondage, until now; even the most harmless of animals, 
is brought into bondage, by the iniquities of man. Men of 
deep designs, and of rare policy, will make use of any in- 



56 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

strument, to accomplish their ends. And when a man is 
riding to the devil, an ass will serve that purpose, as well 
as a horse. Our covetous loco foco prophet had now a great 
object in his eye ; the king of Moab had promised to exalt 
him to riches and honor, if he would curse the children of 
Israel; and, therefore, it is not wonderful that a man of Ba- 
laam's disposition, was up early in the morning, to look after 
these things. It was to serve a king", too ; — loco foco proph- 
ets, and leading characters, in all nations, have been ar- 
dently disposed to serve the great. I have read of bishops 
who have employed themselves the same way ; but how 
should he curse, whom God had blessed 1 What did the king 
of Moab, mean, by asking Balaam to curse Israel? Indeed, 
superstition has always been early in the world. Such as 
have had no just notions of a true God, have yet shown that 
they possessed some notions of a supreme power, either to 
bless, or to curse, at their pleasure. Balaam seems to have 
been one of the eastern Magi ; and one of those who pre- 
tended to be hand and glove, with some powerful divinity, 
whose aid he could call in at his pleasure, to bless or curse 
whom he had a mind. It is undoubtedly correct, that all this 
was a corruption and perversion of the religion of the true 
God, which was here used, to carry out the pious purposes of 
false prophets, and the politics of loco foco princes. The 
greatest part of the leading men, and princes of this world, 
have meant no more, by religion, than to make it an engine 
of state policy, or a tool of secular interest. Men of any 
degree of sagacity, can easily see that the common people 
will not always be subject to their authority, unless they 
be brought under it, by means of some temporal advan- 
tage, or the influence of religion ; and as those who aspire 
after power, are seldom disposed to part with many worldly 
emoluments, they endeavor to secure the subjection of the 
vulgar, with what costs them nothing, and what they them- 

*Hence the grouping of our patron loco foco Prophets, in the frontispiece, 
with their most excellent Princes will be considered in good keeping, — but 
we reserve our notes for future editions. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD, 5 ' 57 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

selves set no value upon. Severe as this reflection may 
seem, upon human legislators, experience has, for a long 
time, confirmed it ; and, it is evident, from observation, that 
the greatest part of those who have desired to bring ove r 
religion to their side, have made it the instrument of the 
gratification of their pride and ambition. And, indeed, it is 
difficult, if not impossible, to govern mankind without some 
form of religion ; for it may be found by observation, that 
where there is least religion, or where it is most perverted, 
there is generally the greatest barbarity among the inhab- 
itants, in any country. Where the knowledge of the Deity 
is well nigh obliterated from the minds of a people, they 
differ but little from other animals ; they are rude, savage, 
and untractable, until instructed in the knowledge of reli- 
ligion. It ought to be observed here, that although princes 
have thus made religion an engine of government, by which 
to manage their subjects ; yet, they could never so far pre- 
vail over priests and prophets, as to make them subserve 
the ends of their policy, without allowing them to go snacks 
with them, in the profits resulting from it. It appears, in- 
deed, from a consideration of the influence of religion upon 
mankind, that it is necessary to their very constitution, in 
a civilized capacity ; for without it, they in fact differ but 
little from brutes ; even the best uninspired civil system of 
policy, cannot subsist without it ; for where religion is once 
entirely removed, there is neither law nor policy. The 
Christian religion softens the mind, and makes it suscep- 
tible of impressions, to which men without it, are utter 
strangers. Without it, we have no proper springs of action, 
to what is truly virtuous and noble. Some men have been 
possessed of a sort of animal docility, by an appeal to which, 
they could be more easily kept in order, than others; but 
without religion, the best, even of them, have been but the 
milder sort of savages. 

It is a pity, however, that it should be made subservient 
to the basest ends and purposes, as it often has been. It i& 



58 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

designed as the chief end of our nature, and, therefore, it 
should be the chief aim of all our conduct. All other 
things, we, as individuals, and as communities, should at- 
tempt to render subservient to this ; and it is a sign of un- 
soundness in the human economy, when the mistress is 
made a dupe to her handmaids. And this is a strong ar- 
gument in favor of religion, that generally, all men, in the 
time of distress, make her their dernier resort. And what 
kings find themselves unable to do by force of arms, they 
have sometimes imagined might be done by the Deity with- 
out them. Now this is a fair, though forced acknowledge- 
ment of human impotency, and of the providence and in- 
dependence of God. 

Whatever may have been said by travellers, our re- 
searches, have produced the conviction, that there is, and 
has been, no people on earth, who have not worshipped a 
Deity, in their estimation, either good or bad. The human 
mind, clearly appears to have been formed for religion ; and 
notwithstanding the natural evil bias, and habit and custom 
in wickedness, yet the very errors, and excesses of man- 
kind, show that their minds would exercise themselves very 
differently, were they clear from the natural and habitual 
fetters, with which they are bound. 

Were there as many influences to operate upon us, and 
as many to instruct us, in the way of righteousness, as 
there are to decoy us into the paths of error and lies, we 
should, beyond a doubt, soon find these matters very differ- 
ent from what they now are. At such times as civil and 
religious rulers, are engaged in a united interest, to seduce 
mankind; if the Almighty did not show himself, in one 
way or another, at the head of the administration, in spite 
of them, it is impossible to say what the end would be. It 
is certainly observable, that all men, rich and poor, when 
they are in distress, and possess their reason, endeavor to 
bring over the Deity to their interest; yet often the means 
they then use to accomplish the end. can be reckoned only 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 59 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

among the number of their provocations. No man can 
justify himself in asking from God, what would ruin an- 
other; for when our heavenly Benefactor bestows a favor 
upon one, it does not in the least incapacitate him to do the 
same to another, if he stands in need of it. Curses, from 
human lips, are, of all things, the most disagreeable to a 
good and merciful God. What, Oh ! Balak, didst thou 
mean ? to send for a prophet, to curse a people, who, as yet, 
had not injured thee ? God of mercy ! what would be- 
come of thy people, Israel, had the king of Moab had pow- 
er ? They would then have been destroyed in a moment. 
It is indeed, well for the world, that God, after all, is the 
supreme Governor of it ; for his laws are love, and his gov- 
ernment, mercy. The king of Moab, must have been very 
ignorant of the character of God, who rules the universe, 
to imagine that he had not an equally good will to the same 
works of his hands. Perhaps he had been tinctured with 
the doctrine that there is both a good and evil genius — one 
that could curse, and another that could bless. At this 
time, he wanted the aid of the evil genius, to distribute 
maledictions among a people of whom he was afraid ; fear 
and hatred, are very closely allied. Qiiisquis timet quam- 
quam est intactus et odit. 

When all things move on pleasantly, with wicked men, 
they entirely neglect, and all but forget, their God ; but 
when they become sensible of their own incapacity to bear 
their trials and distresses, they would then selfishly and 
willingly, throw themselves upon the Almighty. This is 
the invariable result of fear, until they have sincerely re- 
pented of their sins. And it requires no proof, when we 
state, that there always have been, and still are, many 
men in the world, who entertain the same opinion of God, 
that they have of the devil ; that he is always disposed to 
do ill to such as are his enemies. Their notions of good 
and evil, are much alike; and, therefore, their God and 
their devil, must of course, have the same character. The 



60 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

notions of good with such men, are, that it is fit and proper 
for them to do what they please, without desert of punish- 
ment ; and have a natural right to follow the bent of their 
own inclinations, with impunity ; and they mean no more 
by evil, than punishment for their offences. 

It is goodness, to suffer them to continue as they are; 
and evil to interrupt them in the gratification of their ap- 
petites and passions. With such, virtue is not good ; 
neither is vice, evil ; but punishment is evil, and impurity, 
good. The king of Moab, and his prophet Balaam, have 
now the character of some Demon, in their eye. He must 
curse Israel, or he does nothing. Just so it is, the maligni- 
ty of some men's temper, will not rest satisfied but with 
the destruction of their fellow beings. 

Had thy children, Balak, all died in that battle where 
thy friend Balaam fell, the world would have had no cause 
to lament the loss. But the case is otherwise. Thy off- 
spring, like Pharaoh's locusts, overspread all the kingdoms 
and countries of the world. From thee, and thy prophet 
Balaam, statesmen have learned to curse their enemies ; 
and to ask the aid of prophets, to support their cause. 
From Balaam, establishments, called churches, have taken 
their hint, to devote all, who dissent from their creed, and 
refuse to support the church, to eternal destruction. How 
often has the name of the Diety been profaned by malevo- 
lent invocations, to curse thousands, who have been dear 
in his sight. The leaders in all state and church policy, 
have ever acted upon the same principle. What they could 
not so easily effect by reason, and strength of argument, 
has often been obtained by curses, and church anathemas. 

It is now, a long time since statesmen found the necessity 
of the assistance of some Deity ; and churchmen, and even 
prophets have pretended influence sufficient, at any time, 
to obtain it for themselves and others ; yet those statesmen, 
have often been disappointed, and those prophets, have been 
found to be liars. The Lord of this universe, has more 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 61 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

wisdom, and mercy, and goodness, than to hear the prayers, 
of either civil or religions loco foco politicians, who only 
call in his assistance to serve the purposes of their pride 
and ungodly ambition. Worldly interest, has ever been 
the principle bond of alliance, between churchmen and 
statesmen; and to maintain and advance this interest, they 
have often shamefully abused the characters of both God 
and the Devil. We shall find an illustration of this posi- 
tion, if we refer to the history of two parties, near Dun- 
bar, at the time of the usurpation in Britain ; both parties, 
were ready to shed each others blood, in the name of the 
Lord ; and both were confidently assured of success, by 
their prophets, who consulted their oracles. Could those 
enthusiasts have consulted the God of heaven, think you, 
and received, as they affirmed, from him, assurances of 
success? If so, they must either have most egregiously 
mistaken his meaning, or He deceived some of them. I 
am inclined to think the prophets were like Balaam, and 
the rulers like Balak, who went out to curse their enemies; 
but God turned it into a blessing; not however, for the 
deserts of those who prospered, but for the gross impu- 
dence and blasphemy, of those who suffered. 

There seems to be a particular reason why wicked men, 
in the time of difficulties, seek the assistance of some in- 
visible Deity ; they wish not to have it thought they de- 
pend upon, or are directed by any visible agent. All men, 
in the time of prosperity, affect a sort of independence, and 
in fact, the ungodly, would be Deities if they could ; and 
therefore, when distress comes upon them, they are stimu- 
lated by pride, not to acknowledge their dependence upon 
such as they have always accounted their inferiors. They 
betake themselves, therefore, to some invisible Divinity, 
which their consciences tell them exists, somewhere; but 
which, they have neglected to acknowledge till distress 
drove them to do it. They never give up their notions of 
independence, until they can no longer support them, with 



62 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

any credit. This seems to be the most honorable way of 
retreating, they can think of, at such times to acknowledge 
a power, which they would have the rest of mankind sup- 
pose they had more interest in than the world around them, 
possess. 

And thus it is, that wicked men, exchange atheism for 
hypocrisy ; when they find themselves under some necessi- 
ty, to acknowledge a Deity, they at the same time, incline 
to monopolize his favor ; pretending that they are his great- 
est intimates ; when, at the same time, it is clear to all wise 
observers, that they make use of all these pretences, rather 
to serve their own ends and purposes, than sincerely to be- 
have, as the friends of God. 

When men are thus obliged, to renounce any degree of 
their own independence, they wish to do it with as much 
regard to their notions of dignity, as possible; and this is 
the reason why they are disposed tfr profess dependence 
upon the Almighty, that they may make others believe, 
that He and they, are very familiar. Though they dare 
not generally, consider themselves his superior, yet that 
they would be as nearly equal to Him, as they possibly 
can. Hence it is, that false prophets, and loco foco enthu- 
siasts, of all sorts, have so trumpeted, what influence they 
had with their Divinities; that honest well meaning com- 
mon people, have often concluded, that these deluded loco 
focos dare not do any thing without the good leave of their 
Divinities ; and that these Divinities would refuse nothing 
which they were inclined to ask. Such was the opinion, 
Balak, seems to have had of the false prophet, Balaam; 
for he says, whom thou blessest, is blessed ; and whom thou 
cursest, is cursed. 

This prophet, you know, affected divinity as long as he 
oould; till the Almighty made him sensible that all his 
divinations were under His control; and then he was 
obliged to confess, that he could do nothing beyond the 
commandment of the Lord. Mankind in general, make as 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 63 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

great a secret, of their dependence upon God, as they pos- 
sibly can; and in the most important points of their de- 
pendence, pretend that none can know it, but God and 
themselves. This is probably the reason why some de- 
luded, devout persons, seem to consider intercourse with 
God, not to be a common privilege; but peculiarly designed 
for those only, who are like themselves. If men were en- 
tirely convinced, and satisfied, in their own minds, that they 
truly depended upon God, they would make no secret of it, 
but humbly confess it, on every proper occasion; but whilst 
they still wrap it up in mysticism, and conceal it under some 
form of Miller-like divination; this still shows that they 
are not satisfied, as they pretend to be. It seems to be a 
great deal more the disposition of some men, to be divini- 
ties, than to seek after intercourse with God, in his appoint- 
ed way. The heathens had a ruling propensity, of this 
sort — they publicly affected divine honors ; and longed to 
be accounted Deities; yet, you know, this was seldom con- 
ferred upon them, until after they were dead; — and the 
reason why, it was not, seems to have been, that there were 
so many affecting the same thing, that they could not en- 
dure a divinity, they saw, with their eyes, in their own na- 
ture, because it so far destroyed every man's private opinion 
of independence. 

It will always be found, upon strict inquiry into the hu- 
man heart, that the same spirit, that excited our first par- 
ents, to seek to be as Gods, knowing good and evil; leads 
all their posterity, until they have been regenerated by the 
operation of the Holy Ghost, and the truth of the Gospel, 
to affect the same thing. As the mind was thus, at the on- 
set, perverted, none of its descendants can, or will, of their 
own accord, seek to be virtuous. Unless they are operated 
upon, by arguments, and influences more powerful, than 
their biases and prejudices, they will continue in the same 
condition, into which, they were originally seduced. 

But, we have observed, that the human mind, for some 



64 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

reason or other, is formed for religion. This is evident, 
upon certain occasions — and it shows, that whatever lia- 
bility or necessity there is in it for seduction, its original 
frame was quite the reverse. The infidelity of our mind, 
does not arise from its original nature, but from an evil 
seed, that was sown by an enemy, which when it grows 
up, or exercises its influence upon the springs of action, it 
invariably causes the descendants of Adam, in all subse- 
quent ages to act unnaturally. There is nothing more un- 
natural than Atheism and infidelity ; for both the works, 
%nd the word of God, do teach us, that dependence, upon 
she Almighty, is the language of nature. Until the mind, 
therefore has been rightly informed, and corrected, it is in- 
capable of exercising itself correctly with respect to moral 
principles; and without the revelation of God, it will fall 
into either superstition, or enthusiasm ; if not infidelity, — I 
but this shows the perversion of nature ; as such was not 
the original design of the mind. When men, therefore, so 
far depart from the first principles of nature; as to affect 
independency of their Creator, the reason is, they are cor- 
rupted and perverted. Danger or affliction, will produce 
feelings which soon stagger their notions of self-depend- 
ence; but unless they are set right, by the Holy Ghost, 
through the Gospel; they will float on to superstition, 
enthusiasm or infidelity. The reason why the heathen fell 
so deeply into superstition, was, they had no tutor to cul- 
tivate and reform their minds, from their natural perversity 
and darkness, and that could have been effectual in the 
ground work, of discovering to them the errors of their 
hearts, 

At the same time, in which men are attempting to se- 
duce others, and thus aiding in the support of superstition, 
they generally become, though insensibly, as badly distem- 
pered as their dupes. Balak, who attempted to impose 
upon the people of Moab, the shameful superstition of those 
times, as a tool of state policies, and an engine of the gov- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 65 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

eminent, became himself affected with the same delusion. 
And he applies to Balaam for his aid in the time of his dis- 
tress. This Balaam, seems to have been a man of great 
repute amongst the deluded and superstitious people in 
those days. I have before observed, that most likely, he 
was one of the eastern Magi, — one who pretends intimacy 
with some Divinity; who was supposed to need only a few 
compliments paid him, to induce him to work wonder- 
fully for his friends. One might think, after all, that the 
eastern kings had not been very intimate with their Deities, 
when they had so far to send for a mediator ; but perhaps 
these kings had other business to regard, than religion, ex- 
cept on special occasions; and were therefore not so well 
acquainted with the proper manner of addressing their 
Deities. Be this as it may, or might have been, Balak 
sent messengers to Balaam, to come to him to curse a peo- 
ple, whom he feared. It is supposed, the curse was some 
form of incantation, which was usual in those times ; and 
which ignorant and deluded people, in those regions, be- 
lieved, was powerful to hurt their enemies ; but which yet, 
might have been innocent enough, in any person whatever, 
except those who used it. 

The king of Moab, had evidently, some confidence in Ba- 
laam's abilities; and also knew what would be best adapted 
to excite him to use them ; he promises him honors, and 
very liberal rewards. If the king of Moab was not well ac- 
quainted with the disposition of the Deity, he really seems 
to have known mankind, tolerably well, — at any rate, he 
seems to have known Balaam's leading principle. Perhaps 
the prophet's character was well known, as a man that 
never chose to work for nothing : and Balak might have 
learned this from report. The prophet seemed well dis- 
posed, at first, to serve the king of Moab, for the considera- 
tions held out to him ; still he had one objection in his way: 
which though he would, yet, he could not get over. Now, 
we think, here, that he had found by experience, that there 
5 



66 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

was one Supreme Agent, who upon occasions, had inter- 
rupted the ceremonies of his divinations. Him, he wished 
first to consult, lest upon trial, he should be disgraced in 
the middle of his enterprise. He goes first to consult the 
Lord. 

When men go to ask the mind of the Almighty, with 
their hearts fully bent upon their own purposes, it is no 
great cause of wonder, if they receive an answer not quite 
satisfactory to their inclinations. God, who knows all 
things, well knew, with what intention his suppliant at this 
time, addressed him ; that it was not with a full resolution 
to submit to his will ; but with a design that, at all events, 
God would favor his desire. He was forbidden to go with 
Balak's messengers, which was not a pleasing response 
to a man who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Balak 
behaved towards the prophet as the prophet did towards 
his Maker. He tried him again ; the king of Moab had in- 
deed, better reason to urge Balaam, than the prophet had, 
to be instant with the Almighty. This covetous prophet 
had showed his good inclination to serve him ; but was 
told he could not, — and what did Balak know but the Deity 
might change his mind, and by importunity, be made to 
yield to Balaam's entreaties on the occasion. Oh! truly 
the heathen notions of God, differed but little from their 
notions of men. But Balaam knew that he had received 
an express answer in the negative ; and therefore behaved 
presumptuously in importuning the Lord. It would seem, 
that he wished to insult his Maker to yield to his design. 
He tries him, again. Oh ! what impiety to ask what God 
had peremptorily forbidden. But, there were honors, and 
money, at stake — which to a mind like Balaam's, were the 
most powerful reasons of conduct. 

But it is wonderful that any man, not quite metamor- 
phosed into a devil, could ask the Almighty for liberty to 
curse his own creatures ! Such an address to God, could 
not rationally be expected to receive any other answer but 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD, 5 ' 67 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

a refusal. Will a good, wise, and merciful God, endure 
the prayers of a man, who breathes nothing but curses and 
ruin to a people, who had never injured him? Had this 
prophet been bishop of Rome, or a member of some mod- 
ern associations, and organizations, we might peradventure, 
have inferred that he meant to save their souls by giving 
their flesh to the devil ; but church authority was not prob- 
ably, then known, in that eastern part of the world. Pos- 
sibly the church-rulers in after times took the hint from Ba- 
laam, in their excommunicating people, whom they dis- 
liked or feared ; the prophets method of cursing, would no 
doubt be pretended to have been clothed with divine au- 
thority ; and accounted a religious act, by all those eastern 
superstitious nations. 

This prophet, was at last permitted to go with those mes- 
sengers of the king of Moab ; but with a restraint upon 
him, which did not well suit his temper. Like all people 
who are vicious, if you once humor them, they aspire after 
more indulgence; Balaam expected, that as God had per- 
mitted him to go with Balak's messengers, he would also } 
finally, allow him to do what he desired, when he came to 
the expected place of exercise. But as he was not disposed 
to be obedient to the commands of the Almighty ; his maker 
intended to teach him better behavior, by a severe reproof, 
and disappointment. He now, therefore, sent his angel, to 
resist him, — who stood in his way, and interrupted his 
march ! 

No doubt our prophet was greatly excited by the prospect 
of the honors and rewards which the king of Moab had 
promised should he succeed in his enterprize. Perhaps he 
was telling over in his mind, the honors which all the prin- 
ces of Moab, would confer upon him; and the enormous 
sum of money that he should bring back with him ! and 
how all the men of the east, would reverence him, as one 
of the greatest intimates of the divinity ! No bishop, or 
Cardinal, who ever sat in convocation, or conclave, perhaps 



68 " THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ever had greater expectations than their father, Balaam ; 
when, on a sudden, his ass started aside, and well nigh pros- 
trated her rider in the dirt ! The ass was frightened — and 
it was no wonder — for she saw, what was invisible to her 
master : an angel of the Lord, stood in her way ! 

What this angel was clothed with, or what power of vi- 
sion was given to the ass, I am willing to leave to the 
critics; but she saw something — which could not be a 
spirit, for some divines say, they are* invisible ! But that is 
not all — she started again, and went quite off the track, 
into the field ! Now to interrupt a man in his journey, who 
was thus bent upon it, Avith the highest hopes of coming 
back with riches and honors, was indeed, to say the least 
of it, highly provoking. The offence was the greater, as 
the prophet was in haste. We are not permitted to suppose 
him otherwise; for he loved the wages of unrighteousness. 
Again ! there is no accounting for asses when they turn 
giddy ; she rushed against the wall; and as the prophet 
appears to have ridden in the usual manner of prophets, 
we may easily suppose that one of his legs, was in no good 
condition. She crushed his foot against the wall. Truly 
this was no good omen ; there was some reason to fear the 
issue of this affair. The ass is made to pay soundly, for 
being so giddy. The prophet had a staff, which the ass, 
poor thing, no doubt would have remembered, as long as 
she lived, had she not been an ass; — with which he bela- 
bored her, to bring her to a sense of her duty. The proph- 
et appears to have been old, that he rode with a staff, oth- 
erwise he ought to have had a whip. The prophet grows 
serious, but the ass more so ; — she opened her mouth, as 
she had, no doubt many times done before, but in a very 
different manner; she spoke by the special and direct agen- 
cy of Heaven. It is said — The Lord opened the mouth of 
the ass. The language of asses, one would suppose, might 
surprise those who were not acquainted with it; as their 
organs and dialect, generally, are none of the finest, — but 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 69 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

to speak in human style, was enough, to have frightened 
any man out of his senses ; and, probably, any man, ex- 
cept Balaam, would have fainted; but his mind -was too 
full of honors and riches, to be affected by any such thing. 
The prophet's ass spoke like himself, in all things but the 
style. Am not I thine ass % Poor humble creature ! She 
had served him long enough for such a reward — he beat 
her, and told her, if he had a sword, he would kill her ! ! ! 
Had she been endowed with the exercise of reason, as with 
the use of language, she would doubtless have changed her 
master, and left his service. The use of language, without 
a right exercise of reason, though very common, is no very 
high attainment. An ass may speak, but it still is an ass. 
Our asses master, was like many since his time, who for- 
get great and good services, at a very small offence, — nay, 
if strictly examined, it was a piece of faithful service ; for 
it saved the prophet's life. How many have served their 
country, faithfully, for many years, who yet have been 
served like the prophet's ass ? — gotton blows and threaten- 
ings for their service, instead of any reward, or preferment, 
whatever? Ah ! many invisible agents, we learn here, are 
watching the, motions of the wicked and ungodly man ! 
when he is riding, post haste, to dishonor his maker; 
though he does not discern the invisible agent, who inter- 
rupts him, baring up his way ; the animal, that carries him, 
may, by signatures, which he does not comprehend ! It is 
unspeakably easy, for one of these heavenly messengers, to 
dismount the best rider that ever mounted a horse. When 
some merciless wretch is posting on to accomplish the ends 
of his wickedness and cruelty ; when some ambitious cov- 
etous usurer is riding, full speed, to receive the wages of 
unrighteousness ; and to distress the widow and the father- 
less ; and is found dead at his horses feet — who knows, 
but some of these invisible agents, out of pity to mankind, 
are the instruments of vengeance, upon such unprincipled 
and incorrigible sinners? 



Vl "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

The prophet's punishment, as yet, is not equal to his 
crimes. He went, with a full purpose, to curse a people, 
whom the Almighty had blessed, if God would be so un- 
merciful as to permit him. It was a mercy, that his neck 
was not in the place of his foot; for he richly deserved 
punishment, for disobedience to God. and his horrible de- 
signs against his people. 

Those characters, who are acquainted with the political 
reasons, of the several prophets and teachers of mankind, 
and some churches, do* perhaps, know, that when they took 
upon them the work of anathematizing their fellow men, 
they had the same reasons for their conduct, which led on 
their father Balaam to get all the gain and honor by it pos- 
sible. 

When men for difference of opinion, usurp, and denounce 
the curse of God against their fellow beings, there is reason 
to suspect there is something else, at the bottom, than a de- 
sire for the good of their souls. It is more likely, that their 
own importance, and private interest, and honor, are, after 
all, the true reasons of their conduct. It has often cost na- 
tions considerable sums of money, to get clear of the curses 
of the prophets ! It seldom happens, that such prophets as 
Balaam, either bless, or curse, for nothing, The least thing 
that can be expected, as an excuse, for taking it upon them 
to curse others, is, that they show their commission from 
the Lord, for doing it; otherwise they, themselves, know, 
that we must hold them in the same predicament with Ba- 
laam, and call them false prophets. Balaam's conduct to- 
wards his ass, is very similar to the conduct of civil and 
religious, loco foco rulers, and teachers, towards the people 
over whom they rule — and the language of the ass, like 
the fruitless complaint of an enslaved and degraded people. 
Balaam had his ass saddled and prepared for mounting, be- 
fore he got on to ride. It always requires some pains of 
drilling, to prepare a people to bear a yoke of slavery and 
loco foco degradation. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 71 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

In matters of religious concern, merely, it is necessary in 
the establishment, to have the people well persuaded of the 
rights and importance of the bishops, and their clergy, and 
of the divinity of their canons, and the creeds of the 
churches, before they will submit to be used like asses. 
The jure divino, of episcopacy, or popery, are pieces of 
trapping, that their prophets prepare for those asses which 
they intend to ride. If once they can convince them that their 
elergy have power to make laws, to bind the conscience of 
the whole community, they may rein them, "every which 
way," they please. 

Were it not calculated to give offence to some who have 
more zeal than understanding, or staid principles of hon- 
esty, I should compare the articles of the church of Eng- 
land, as well as those of popery or puseyism, to the trap- 
pings of Balaam's ass ; for it is clear as light, that these are 
the means by which their clergy ride upon the backs of the 
people. Their unchurching of all evangelical congregations 
of believers, and their furious excommunications, I should 
compare to the prophet's staff, with which he belabored his 
ass; for it is manifest, that when those who become en- 
lightened and start aside, and begin to think for themselves, 
and are not tractable enough to serve their devout Hughes 
or Onderdonk-masters, that they are ready most furiously 
to curse them as heretics and schismatics. And though 
these evangelical believers should be ever so deeply con- 
vinced in their own minds, of the truth of their own opin- 
ion, and the correctness of the exercise of their conscience ; 
if the angel, as in the case referred to, should stand in their 
way, it would be of no consequence to these prophets that 
rule ; the people must suffer for their impertinence, and be 
belabored like the ass, for their disobedience. Indeed, the 
persons, in general, who thus submit to remain in religious 
slavery, strikingly resemble the prophet's ass; for though 
they complain of hard usage, they still recognize their mas- 
ters, and by this fact, say, are not we your assesl 



72 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

There are several sorts of human asses, that resemble 
the prophet's beast. There are some, that start, now and 
then, a little, and reprove or rebuke the madness of their 
prophet, but who yet, continue in subjection, and are good 
beasts of burden, notwithstanding. Of this sort, are all 
those who are ever crying out against the innovations and 
corruptions in their establishments, but ail the while con- 
tinue subject to those impositions ; such are braying and 
noisy, indeed; but yet tame asses; they mean no harm, 
notwithstanding all the noise they make. They only start, 
because they are a little frightened by some scarecrows that 
happen to be in their path. The moment their ghostly ri- 
ders lift their rod, and begin to belabor them a little sharp- 
ly, they are ready to make apologies for their conduct, and 
return to their duty. If conscience — the messenger of 
God within them — at any time, srartle them, as the angel 
did Balaam's ass, yet a certain portion of sound discipline, 
which may be supposed either to effect their reputation or 
worldly interest, will soon bring them on to the old track 
again, and make them say, are not we thine asses ? The 
articles of the church, and its mother — popery — are like 
the two laps of Balaam's saddle, which are well girded 
upon some members of the churches, by the force of can* 
oris, and the power of deprivation. Such as shall be so 
giddy as to refuse to take on their trappings, will be made 
sufficiently sensible of their folly, by being deprived of their 
livings, or loaded with church censures. 

Yes, it is by the use of such trappings as those now rep- 
resented, that the clergy of the church support their au- 
thority — for they could not ride, without their saddle. 
Were once their dupes to insist upon receiving nothing as 
their creed, but the scriptures, as understood and explained 
by the apostles and original evangelists and teachers, the 
clergy of popery, and " the church," would soon have no 
more authority, than what good services and good conver- 
sation, would procure them. They would then be obliged 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 73 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

to be helpers of the joy of Christians ; but should be no 
longer lords of their faith. Good men will always respect 
their teachers, as long as they are examples of goodness, 
and condescend to men of low, as well as high degree ; but 
such persons as understand the New Testament, will re- 
ject all attempted dominion over their consciences, except 
the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ ; and therefore will 
deride all such clerical jurisdiction and religious dictators, 
as "the church" and popery produce. When men are not 
allowed the exercise of private judgment, but are marked 
down as schismatics, when they deviate from the national 
establishment ) we think they are much in the same predic- 
ament as that of the prophet's ass. 

No Christians have any reason to quarrel with the reli- 
gion of any country, where toleration is allowed, as it is in 
our own ; but still those have reason to complain, whose 
toleration is restricted, and whose religious opinions, if tjiey 
continue in the church, are attended with loss to them- 
selves ; for such are allowed to be good members of society? 
and faithful to the best interest of their country. Any in- 
telligent Christian may charitably enough say, that all po- 
litical religions serve no other valuable purpose, but to ob- 
tain honor and money from the state, with the privilege of 
denouncing curses upon those who are suspected of being 
inimical to their mutual dignity. An enslaved people, in 
such a case, serve the same purpose as the prophet's ass 
did to him — carry them to seek riches and honor; for it is 
always through the use of the populace, that unprincipled 
and ambitious men, raise themselves to public stations, and 
obtain their wealth, and undeserved honor. Where the 
government of churches and states, has been arbitrary, the 
enslaved people have always been obliged to serve the in- 
terests of both, with their labor and substance. The popu- 
lace are used as asses, to carry the regular sportsmen, who 
lead parties whithersoever they please to direct them. It 
often happens that they complain of ill-usage ; but as long 



T4 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

as they have not a just sense of their own inalienable rights, 
they proceed no farther than to make some feeble com- 
plaints, saying, are not we your asses, on which you have 
ridden, ever since we were yours ? 

Whenever and wherever, mankind are once correctly and 
effectually instructed in their natural, civil, and religious 
rights and privileges, they will not only complain, when 
they find themselves oppressed, but will struggle till they 
are freed from such oppression. Wise men know what it 
is to obey just laws; but will never tamely submit to the 
bondage of imposition. It is a base degeneracy, indeed, to 
rest quietly, in what is contrary to nature; and nothing 
can be more contrary to the nature of rational and evan- 
gelically enlightened creatures, than to be destitute of lib- 
erty ; and hence, to submit to a state establishment, with- 
out resistance, shows an ignorance of the rights of human 
nature. Men may yield, when conquered, but they can 
never rationally acknowledge power to be just, when there 
is rottenness in the constitution of the government. When 
any government is not founded upon correct moral princi- 
ples, it will always be managed at the expense of the lib- 
erty of certain classes of the community ; and their sub- 
mission to such power, is an obedience like that of the 
prophet's ass. The first slavery that men are generally 
brought under, is that of their mind ; for, while the mind 
acts freely, and is kept clear of the chains of ignorance and 
delusion, it would be a difficult matter to enslave it. Here 
then, commences the agency of loco foco teachers, to se- 
duce mankind, in order to prepare the way to defraud them 
of their civil or religious privileges. It appears to be a 
fact, though I have not seen it noticed, that the blending 
of civil and religious offices, or sacred and secular things, 
has been the introduction to all kinds of artificial slavery, 
in every instance, at least where arbitrary power has pre- 
vailed. Where these have been kept distinct, freedom has 
more generally prevailed. However paradoxical it may 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 75 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

seem to some, it may be demonstrated, that were there no 
alliance between church and state, there is the greater por- 
tion of civil liberty. When church officers, therefore, are 
advanced to civil preferments, or civil magistrates permit- 
ted to discharge religious offices in the government of the 
church, each of these officers will labor for the benefit and 
honor of the other, to the dishonor of the people. And 
here they are under two- fold temptation. The loco foco 
minister is ready to assume the prerogative of the magis- 
trate, and the loco foco magistrate, to enforce the dignity of 
the loco minister, by exerting his civil authority in favor of 
the sacred functionary ; and thus, in this double respect, 
become lords over all the people. For this reason, men 
will not dare to express the truth, if it seem to differ from 
the loco foco authorities ; as they are in danger of either 
being heartily cursed by the priesthood, or punished by the 
magistracy. The mind being thus cramped in its exer- 
cises, turns at length servile in the exercise of its functions ; 
and the consequence is, intellectual drunkenness and bon- 
dage. This alliance also makes the teachers in the church, 
indolent, in the most material part of their duty, which is 
to impart the principles of evangelical truth, and knowl- 
edge ; and thus endeavor to free their minds from the power 
of ignorance. This they cannot do, without teaching them 
the right of private judgment, in all things, with respect to 
their conscience. But as the priest's advantage, in papal 
or episcopal establishments, does not arise from instructing 
the people evangelically, making them acquainted with their 
true and highest interests, they seldom let them into the 
secrets of their policy. Did men truly comprehend their 
liberty of conscience, with respect to religion, we should 
soon see that the pope, and his cardinals and clergy, and 
all episcopal bishops, and their clergy, would no longer 
have asses to ride upon, to carry them to riches and pre- 
ferments. Yes, were men well instructed in these things, 
popery, church and state, alliances, and all systems of sla- 



76 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

very, and human ass-making, would soon come to nothing; 
for if mankind considered themselves as all equally con- 
cerned in what pertains to their consciences, and that each 
must answer for himself, at the day of judgment, they 
would not consent, a moment, to any system which takes 
from them their highest interest forever. Such as continue, 
therefore, under any such establishments, are not a whit 
better than Balaam's ass, which, though it complained, yet 
spake with the greatest submission to its master — "Am 
not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I 
was thine V As it is intended to continue this review, in 
another discourse, I shall here conclude, and say, Amen. 



SERMON IV 



NUMBERS XXII, 21 — 30. 

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, 
and went with the princes of moab. and the ass said 
unto Balaam, " Am not I thine ass, upon which thou 
• hast ridden, ever since I WAS thine ? " 

Dear reader, you know, one could have expected no better 
language from an ass. Yet, it is a pity that any rational 
creatures, should imitate such a mean-spirited and servile 
animal. All the dupes of arbitrary power, not only, but 
all the dupes of civil and religious loco foco leaders, of par- 
ties who submit to them, have daily, uttered words of Jhe 
same import. Time was, you know, with our English, 
puritanic fathers, where such language was brayed out of 
pulpits, and squeezed through the press, by those famed 
loco focos, who advocated passive obedience, and non-re- 
sistance. Who could make any thing else of such words 
as these? "It is not lawful to resist the king, nor any 
commissioned by him, upon any pretence whatever." But 
were not they the asses of servants of the king ? It is also 
bringing men into the same predicament, to subject their 
consciences to any power but that of God Almighty, and 
his will, as revealed in the Holy Bible. When they are 
obliged, under the pain of civil losses, to subscribe to ar- 
ticles which loco foco teachers in religion, prescribe for 
them, we solemnly ask, is it not making them utter the 
language of the prophet's ass? " Are not we thine asses? " 



78 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

I have said before, that the creeds of the popish and 
episcopal establishments, are used by their clergy, in the 
same manner as the trappings of Balaam's ass — to keep 
their asses in due submission, that the riders may sit easy. 
This is manifest, as it enables them to keep the reins in 
their own hands, and exercise the right to fix this trapping, 
by selecting all the officers, that they admit into the several 
churches. It is not every one, that can demand this secu- 
rity, or that are accounted judges how such asses should 
be saddled ; but only those who lay claims to the office of 
master of the ceremonies, in their establishment. Suppose 
a teacher was ever so well qualified to instruct his fellow 
beings, and understands theology in all its branches, far 
better than any bishop in convocation, or any cardinal in 
the conclave, and is the choice of any one of their congre- 
gations, yet he cannot be admitted, until he has humbly 
submitted to the bishop, and said, "Am not I thine ass?" 
As the common people had never any hand in framing 
these loco foco rules and articles, nor was their consent ever 
even asked, it appears, plainly, that they were only framed 
for the benefit of the clergy. 

Now, if this sort of trappings were not more for their ad- 
vantage, than for that of their asses, I apprehend they 
would not be so strenuous in supporting them; for in noth- 
ing do those loco focos, excel other people so much as in 

zeal for the canons and articles, of their establishments. 

i • 

It is evident they can mean no more by them, than as sad- 
dles to ride upon ; for in very momentous cases, we find 
they visibly violate their own trappings. And if we know 
any thing about the common powers of human nature, it 
would much puzzle a stranger, who was well acquainted 
with the Bible, to form a judgment of their real principles 
by merely comparing their creeds and articles, with the fa- 
mous printed surmons, of their Bishops and clergy; for 
though the articles affect, to be very orthodox, the most of 
their sermons, or what they call religious discourses, look, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 79 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

intensely, the other way. This sort of religious mechan- 
ism, serves all the purposes which the public actors, in their 
political farce intend by it; which is, to fill out a part of a 
scene, at the time of performance ; and then be withdrawn, 
till another public occasion. They, themselves, seem not 
to consider it of any use in private life ; else, every sub- 
scriber would make conscience of preaching the same doc- 
trine, in his sermons, to which he subscribed in the articles. 
One thing, is certainly clear, as light could make it, that 
either their creeds and articles are wrong, or what they call 
their sermons, religious disquisitions, and books are gener- 
ally so. And one would most readily conceive, that if they 
believed what they had subscribed in the articles, they 
would never publish the reverse to the world. For this 
reason I compare them to the trappings of the prophet's ass, 
which were only necessary when he intended to ride. 
Whenever the bishops and their clergy are disposed to ex- 
ercise their authority, they do it by the use of these stand- 
ards ; to these they appeal, upon occasions, and to the laws 
that authorize them ; but never, except to support their own 
consequence and dignity. On all other occasions, they ob- 
serve them as little as other men ; they lay by their trap- 
pings, until they have some ass to saddle. 

The most distinguished of champion bishops, among the 
episcopal, as well as among the papal Balaams, for advo- 
vocating creeds and confessions, and the alliance between 
church and state, have found great difficulty to make use of 
the scriptures without them ; and cannot possibly see, how 
evangelical congregations can make a confession of their 
faith with only the rules of the scriptures in their hands, 
so fully as duty requires. To be sure, if the faith, as de- 
livered to the saints, be not in some measure in their minds 
and hearts, I should doubt much as to the materials of 
them being right ; yet I should prefer the scriptures rather 
better, in my hand and heart, than either the church arti- 
cles, or any of their creeds. The apostle, and the evan- 



80 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

gelist, saw no manner of difficulty, in what has appeared 
so difficult to these gentlemen bishops. The apostle told 
Timothy, that the scriptures were profitable for all things, 
to make the man of God perfect. After this, we graciously 
ask, where lies the difficulty? The scriptures, perhaps, do 
not suit, to make the. members of the kingdoms of this 
world perfect, in the sense they would be so ; but they an- 
swer all purposes to make believers perfect in the sight 
of God; and one would think this might be sufficient. 
Timothy, you know, is by some writers, called the bish- 
op of Ephesus — the scriptures were sufficient to make him 
perfect ; and it might be conjectured, at least, that they 
would answer the same purpose, to any other bishop. 

I am perhaps a little too fast, here ; I had forgot that as 
to matter of fact, Timothy was an overseer, of a single 
congregation ; and preached the gospel as an evangelist ; 
was instant in season, and out of season, and in all things, 
did the work of an evangelist. The scriptures might an- 
swer his purpose, who was no higher in office, than a self 
denied minister of Jesus Christ ; but, alas ! they may not 
answer the same end to a rich and voluptuous diocesan. 
Large creeds and articles are much like large grammars, — 
they help to sustain the negligence and incapacity of the 
teachers; but scholars, would obtain more knowledge from 
the original sources, if the principles and beauties were 
ably and correctly explained and pointed out to them, than 
from any of those subsidies of human boobies, and hum- 
bugers. 

Were the professed teachers of the scriptures, skilfully 
employed in explaining their doctrines and in pointing out 
their beauties and excellences ; and engaged, in earnest, in 
showing the evidence of them, to persuade others; this 
would answer a much better purpose than to impose hu- 
man dogmas, that bare not the least resemblance to the 
scriptures. It has been often alleged, in behalf of long 
creeds, that .a general knowledge cf religion is more easily 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 81 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

propagated and kept up by them, among the people. If 
we may judge from experience and observation, with re- 
spect to this matter, it will be found to be by no means 
true ; for ignorance of religion and infidelity have often 
abounded most, where these are the longest and the most 
strenously enforced. And let any man try the experiment, 
when he has a mind, and he will invariably find, that those 
people who most read the Bible, and hold by it, have much 
more knowledge of religion than any of the most zealous 
devotees of the creeds and articles of English episcopacy, or 
the bishops of Rome. One cannot but be sorry to find our 
Savior brought in by a state creed-stickler, as a patron for 
modern creed-making; we are told that he has sanctified the 
use of them by his own repeated practice, — because he de- 
manded we should confess, that we believed in him, before 
he would bestow special favor; and said, "Believest thou 
this?" Our Savior, no doubt, required such a confession, 
from whom he pleased, as the king in his church, and the 
Lord and recognizer of the conscience ; and always required 
them to believe in himself, as both the object and author of 
saving faith. But his requirement in this manner, affords 
not the least ground of argument, for human creeds. It may 
perhaps be an argument for requiring belief in the Holy 
Scriptures ; but can be none at all, for requiring our belief 
in human compositions. Besides we are told by this same 
human-creed-monger, that such confessions were introduc- 
tions to miracles, and ceased long ago, as miracles have 
done. Taking the argument for human creeds, in his own 
way, he must either give up the business of creed-making, 
or work miracles. Whatever plausible argument may be 
offered, for church power, and the alliance between church 
and state ; yet, after they are brought to their height, by 
either popery or episcopacy, they end in what Paul, oalls 
infidelity. 
The author, above referred to, in stating a comparison 

between the power of the legislature in civil and religious 
6 



82 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

affairs, affirms, — that the legislatures, in christian societies, 
are bound to observe the great character of religious liber- 
ty; and never to depart from the principles which it con- 
tains; but always following the spirit of that, the legisla- 
ture are at liberty to make laws, suited to many new cases, 
which the "scriptures have not provided for." What are 
these? They must be cases which do not belong to the 
purity and perfection of believers. What could any infidel, 
have said more? This is giving up the perfection of the 
scriptures at once; and giving to loco foco civil magistrates 
a power, to make up its deficiencies ! But we are told, to 
such legislative power men must submit; or give up the 
advantages of society in religion! We think a faithful, 
arid intelligent reader of the New Testament, will discover 
no occasion for this. The advantages of society in religion 
do not depend upon power, but upon will. Where all are 
truly religious, there they have all the benefits of society in 
their religion, they desire ; and they need no power to keep 
them good members of society, but that of truth. If by 
benefits in society is meant large beneficies, and emolu- 
ments secured to them, by the power of the magistrate ; — 
these christians do not expect, but leave them to the chil- 
dren of the kingdoms of this world; or, whom they may 
concern.. All they want, is permission and toleration to 
serve God in their own way, according to the dictates of 
their own consciences, as the word of God directs them. 
But we have been told, and christians are now told on the 
other side of the water, and the time may ere long come, 
when they will again be told here, " As single christians or 
individuals, they may enjoy the right of judging for them- 
selves, or the right of private judgment in its fullest extent; 
and each may pursue his own opinions without control, 
while each, with a Bible in his hand, is a church to himself." 
But then, says the writer, what chance is there that the 
knowledge of religion shall long survive on this footing, 
where no provision is made for instructing the people in the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 83 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

faith and duties of the gospel, and every one is left to 
pursue, at his will, the cares and pleasures of this life, 
without any stated call to think of religion ? " The great 
emphasis in this paragraph rests, you see, on the word 
provision. And it will readily be acknowledged that this 
writer judges very right with respect to his denomination, 
for there are but few indeed of the clergy of the Episcopal 
or Papal church, who will undertake to instruct mankind 
without some provision for doing it. But yet one would 
think, after all, his fears were very needless, that christians 
will grow ignorant when they have the use of the Bible. 
But though they have the Bible, they have not a stated call, 
to use it, without a sufficient provision to excite them to it." 
In Christ's name, I ask, where is the virtue of all this? If 
they serve God only for money and preferments. This is the 
way to make hypocrites, and pharisees, — but not the way 
to make christians. But may it not happen, that christians 
shall make all necessary provision for themselves as to in- 
struction, by choosing from among themselves and fitting 
persons for the business of instruction, who shall preside in 
their worship; and support them, by their own liberality; 
if the state will not support them without bringing them to 
sign their loathsome articles? But here religious state au- 
thors, tell us — "that all the advantages of public and so- 
cial religion, will be lost, if men do not join in legislating 
for securing those advantages." The advantages of society 
can never be lost among real intelligent christians, who en- 
deavor to edify one another in love, upon the principles of 
the Gospel. Christians may, indeed, loose those advanta- 
ges which foster pride and promote luxury; which, by 
pharasees, would be accounted a great loss ; but by chris- 
tians it would be accounted no loss at all, but which they 
have faith to endure. Advantages, are the great things 
constantly in view, with all high-church legislatures. The 
power, they talk about, is to secure such advantages. But 
where has this power always been lodged? And who are 



84 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

at any time, or any place, the proper persons to judge of 
men's fitness to teach and edify christians? There can be 
no power created, or appointed in this matter, but what is 
already appointed, definitely, by the Lord Jesus Christ; 
who, in the Gospel has told us what sort of persons those 
must be who are privileged to take upon themselves the 
office of teaching men the Gospel. They must be self-de- 
nied believers — learned in the scriptures, apt to teach, and 
servants of all; possesed of no power but that of promoting 
the intelligence and order, and helping the joy of believers. 
Believers have a better security for their instruction than 
any power, appointed by human device. The promise of 
God, secures to the church, all needed instruction, where 
christians are allowed to do their duty. 

It would appear that the dignified church-guides of our 
puritan fathers, did account them asses, indeed, who could 
not admit for a moment that they could know the way to 
be religious, pointed out in the scriptures without the use 
of their loco foco machinery ! However, this much, we 
are willing to say, to their praise, that common christians 
at that period were, generally, more indebted to their school- 
masters, who learned their children to read, than they ever 
were to the high church clergy, for instruction in religion. 
Intelligent children, brought up like those of our New Eng- 
land pilgrim fathers, with the Bible in their possession, 
are in no danger of erroneous corruptions with regard 
to fundamental truth, until they happen to come under 
the influence of some u wind-of-doctrine-loco-foco. " — 
And I say, before all their duped congregations, that 
a christian may learn what is unspeakably of more 
value to him, by carefully perusing the Bible, only one 
half hour a day, than he could by culling, from their mys- 
ticism, a whole life. The steam boat loads of their steam 
which have disgraced our times, are in my view of them, 
in the mass, the greatest misfortune that could befall the 
rising generation. School masters, of the puritan stamp, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 85 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

to teach the people to read the scriptures, instead of any 
of those just now named, who pointed out the doctrines, 
and duties of Christianity, would have put the present gen- 
eration in possession of vastly more valuable knowledge, in 
this department, than is now enjoyed. Though our Sa- 
vior plainly declared before Pontius Pilate, that his king- 
dom is not of this world, there are attempts made even at 
the present day, through the use of civil associations and 
organizations, as well as in the days of the pilgrim fathers, 
to prove the contrary — and we are told, by Episcopacy, 
at least, that our Lord's testimony does not prove, that 
Caesar had no right to interfere in religious matters. Caesar 
might interfere with any of the kingdoms of this world, 
as he had a. mind ; but hoio could he interfere with a 
kingdom which is not of this world? It lay altogether, 
above and beyond his jurisdiction. 

Our Savior could not have spoken in more express terms, 
that Caesar had nothing 'to do with his kingdom, than he did, 
by declaring that it did not pertain to this world ; for Cae- 
sar had jurisdiction in no kingdoms, but such as pertain to 
this. It has been often affirmed, that our Lord's testimony 
before Pontius Pilate, does not decide the right of the mag- 
istrate's power over the church or congregation of believers. 
But just let this testimony be considered as common sense 
would lead any man to understand it. And Jesus answered, 
my kingdom is not of this world ; for then would my ser- 
vants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews ; but 
now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said 
imto him, art thou a king, then? Jesus answered, thou 
sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for 
this cause came I into the world, that I should bear wit- 
ness of the truth. Every one, who is of the truth, hear- 
eth my voice. Any one must observe, at first view, here, 
that Christ professeth himself to be a king, and, that he 
had a kingdom; and that his kingdom is not of this world. 
Now, whatever kingdom this might be, no civil magistrate 



86 "THINGS NEW AND OLD/' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

can have any jurisdiction over it, without being a king 
above Christ. If Caesar had any jurisdiction over the 
church, to govern it, then Christ could not be king in that 
kingdom, but Csesar. At best, it must be supposed, that 
Caesar, or the civil magistrate, whoever it be, has power 
over the church, either with the leave of Christ, or without 
it. If without Christ's leave, he exercise this power, then 
the magistrate is the head of the church ; but if with his 
leave, as pretended, this should be shown from the New 
Testament. Indeed, the nature of the thing, and the tes- 
timony of our Saviour, both suggest the reflection, that 
there can be no authority either in or over his church, but 
what he appointed by his own authority. If the magis- 
trate claims any power over the church, he must show his 
instructions for it from him who says " He is a king, and 
for that end came into the world." 

But here high-church sticklers say, if human power be, 
in any degree necessary for the government of the church, 
that power must be vested in the hands of the civil magis- 
trates, to whom all human power naturally belongs and to 
whom our Lord here declares that he leaves it in its full 
extent." [Thus much with reference to Essay on Estab- 
lishments, p. 69.] 

But this reasoning is runined by an if; for human pow- 
er has no more to do with the government of the church of 
Christ, than ministers of Christ's church, have to be civil 
magistrates ; and they have no more connection with one 
another, than the kingdoms of this world, have with the 
kingdom of heaven. Christ says, he came into the world, 
and was born to be a king; and adds, that his kingdom is 
not of this world. If he is a king, then all the laws by 
which his church is governed, must be of his own making; 
for He admits no partners with himself, in legislation. 
Those who add to, or diminish from, the laws which he 
has made, are guilty in his sight. Now the truths con- 
tained in the Divine record, are the laws by which he rules 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 87 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

the consciences of his people, and from the nature of the 
case, also, it is manifest that they cannot be subject to any 
human legislation in this matter. Even the Christian's 
obedience to magistrates as governors of civil society, is 
founded upon express scripture precept: "Let every soul 
be subject to the higher powers. And it is because Christ, 
by Iris apostles, commanded Christians to be obedient to 
magistrates, that they are bound to obey them; but not be- 
cause they themselves require it. So little power have 
magistrates over the church of God, to govern it, and make 
laws in it, that they have not even a title to civil reverence 
from Christians, but what is founded upon Christ's au- 
thority. 

And we would ask these zealous advocates of the power 
of the civil magistrate over the people, where they find, in 
the New Testament, either precept or examples for blend- 
ing civil and sacred things, after this manner? Whatever 
men of the kingdoms of this world, say in favor of such 
blending of civil and religious matters, which is not founded 
in the sacred oracles, ought never to have any weight 
among intelligent Christians. It may, like the traditions 
of the Jews, serve the purpose of the Pharisees and Scribes 
of national and papal establishments, to blind the minds of 
the ignorant, and by that means keep the people in subjec- 
tion to their ghostly guides. But this will appear to all 
who learn their religion from the Bible, of just as much 
consequence to their loco foco teaches, as the trappings of 
Balaam's ass. 

It is no less than absurd, to reason from Christ's spiritual 
power in the church, to the power of God in civil society, 
and at the same time imagine that men are equally de- 
prived of liberty to make alterations in each of these king- 
doms! The cases are quite different; Christ has given 
a perfect system of all doctrines, and duties, which relate 
to the salvation of men's souls ; and revealed all things 
which pertain to the conscience, that every man may judge 



88 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

for himself, concerning all those matters he is to answer for 
at the day of judgment, as they are matters which imme- 
diately respect their faith and obedience to God himself. 
The laws of civil society, have only respect to the bodies 
of men; they cannot extend beyond what pertains to the 
body; the two kingdoms are just as different as the inter- 
ests of men's souls and bodies are ; and the nature and 
spirit of the laws of each society, are as different from one 
another, as body and spirit. 

There is a remarkable passage in the Essay on civil 
regulations for the kingdom of Christ, which shows the 
distress of the party to form their political image of iron 
and clay ; it runs : — " Those, who, in defiance of religious 
establishments, require a gospel precedent, require what 
the nature of the thing does not admit of. The gospel con* 
tains the history only of the Divine original of our religion ; 
and leaves it before it had formed any human connections. 
How, then, can the gospel furnish an example of such con- 
nection ; or how can the want of the example, be an argu- 
ment against the connection?" 

This is a fair confession, that there is no example of es- 
tablishments, in the New Testament; but perhaps as 
strange a reason is given for this defect, as ever entered 
into the heart of man to conceive. " The gospel history 
falls short, and comes not so far down, as the forming of 
human connections, and leaves this matter unfinished!" 
But the question is not, whether the gospel history of 
churches, leaves religion before it formed connections with 
the world ; but whether it leaves it before it was perfect ? 
It Would appear, thai as this history mentions none of these 
connections, the author of it intended there never should 
be any ! If there is not a perfect account of religion, in 
the gospel history, it is hard to say where we shall find 
any ; and it is a sad reflection upon the wisdom of its Au- 
thor, to say it is deficient in such a momentous matter as 
the very constitution of a church ! 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 89 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

We find as whimsical a reason given, why there is no 
precept concerning this point, in the New Testament. This 
author tells us — "It would have been useless ! " For men, 
no doubt, were wise enough to understand, " That they 
might safely enjoy peace, under the protection of govern- 
ment, and to unite their endeavors with it, for the public 
good ! " But may not men enjoy the protection of govern- 
ment, and live peaceably, without joining together what 
Christ has appointed to be kept distinct? Common sense, 
will, indeed, teach men that they should enjoy peace, when 
they can have it with a safe conscience, and live so, as 
good members of community, under any goverment which 
permits them to live and use their christian privileges; and 
the scriptures teach the same thing; but they do not teach 
that Christians are at liberty to confound civil and religious 
things. As members of civil society, they are to mingle 
with it, do the duties of men, under the regulation of civil 
policies; but as Christians, they have another Lord, and are 
governed by a policy quite different. And therefore, in all 
matters of religion and conscience, when they are imposed 
upon by any human trappings, they will say — "whether 
is it lawful to obey God or man? judge ye." They will 
be ready to submit to Providence, and suffer, when they 
cannot prevail with those in power, to let them alone ; 
but will never comply, at the expense of truth and con- 
science. # This was the reasoning of our puritan fathers: 

*An act of 17th Charles II., by which nonconformist ministers were pro- 
hibited, unless in crossing the road, to come or be on any pretence, what- 
ever, after March 24th, 1665, within five miles of any city, town-corporate, 
or borough that sent burgesses to Parliament; or within 5 miles of any par- 
ish, town, or place, wherein they had, since the act of oblivian, been par- 
son, vicar or lecturer, &c, or where they had preached in any conventicle. 

Again, Charles I, of tyrannical memory, was beheaded on the 30th of 
January, 1649, he, absurdly enough, called himself, and was called by stick- 
lers for the church, a martyr ; and the anniversary of his martyrdom, has 
afforded the high church clergy fine opportunities for displaying their zeal 
for the church, and mourning over her calamities brought on by that event. 

Once more. The famous act for the uniformity of public prayers, and 
other rights and ceremonies, &c, in the church of England, which re- 
ceived the royal assent, on the 19th of May, 1662, and took effect on the 
24th of August, following, being " St. Bartholomew's day," assent and 



90 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

All that lies within the power of the civil magistrate, is to 
protect all his subjects in the exercise of that religion which 
they choose for themselves ; and as long as they continue 
good subjects, give them his protection. But he has no 
right to direct them in their choice of religion, but to choose 
his own. I do freely confess, that the magistrate has an 
undoubted right even to make choice of a religion for such 
as submit to be his creatures, and that have no visible ex- 
istence in any church but a political one. As they are his 
servants, that he pays for presiding over the religion of the 
state, it is but reasonable that he should choose work for 
his own servants. The magistrate has no doubt a right to 
dispose of the resources of the state, for the use of govern- 
ment ; and those who are inclined to dispose of their reli- 
gion, for some of its profits, may make the best bargain 
they can ; but if, by any unlawful compromise, or combi- 
nation betwixt the magistrate and his clergy, any number 
of the subjects are unjustly oppressed, they have the great- 
est reason to complain, and say, they are not free. This 
connection between the magistrate and his clergy, has long 
been called by the pompous name of an alliance between 
church and state ; but the word church, has been very un- 
justly applied to one of the parties in this alliance. The 
New Testament signification of the word church, denotes 
all professed believers of the gospel ; and one would readily 
conceive there could be no alliance, without the consent of 
all believers. The Commons in England, unless such as 
are patrons of the establishment, have nothing to say in 
the election of their pastors. The clergy frequently have 
elected one another, and of course, are sure to choose such 

consent to its provisons, were to be declared by that day, by all puritans, 
on pain of deprivation of their livings, if the offenders were in the minis- 
try, and if school masters or tutors in any seminary, three months' im- 
prisonment, and a fine of five pounds sterling. About ten thousand min- 
isters could not, with a good conscience, comply, and they were deprived 
accordingly. The universal testimony of credible history, to the characters 
of these men, is, that no nation or church, since the days of the apostles, 
have been more highly adorned, tnan by them. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 91 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

as are well disposed to the alliance. The magistrate has 
also, often presented many of them, and left it to the clergy 
to elect them, by a conge oV ellre, which, to be sure, the 
members of such a profitable alliance, will take care to 
supply with good, trusty fellows, of their own sentiments. 

This is only an alliance between the king and his clergy; 
or between the civil government, and such as are hired, to 
be its servants. It can never justly deserve the name of an 
alliance between church and state; for the greateet part of 
the members of the church, have none to represent them 
in the constitution of the alliance. 

It has been observed already, that this alliance, is the 
principal cause of civil and religious oppression, wherever 
it takes place; and of which, the oppressed in England, 
are to this hour, uttering their complaints; for the mem- 
bers of the alliance on the side of the church, take care 
that none enjoy any of her emoluments without engaging 
to be tools of state; and the members on the side of the 
state, take care that none be preferred to any office under 
the crown, without engaging to be the servants of the 
church. Here is popery for you ! Now before such en- 
gagements were entered into, in which the whole nation 
were concerned, not only as to civil interests, but as to 
conscience; it would have been but reasonable that 'all 
the members of church and state, should have been con- 
sulted. The clergy in parliament cannot be said to repre- 
sent the church, unless they were elected by all the com- 
municants in England, and have no right to fix laws 
upon them without their consent. Where is the reason 
of men taking upon them to represent people without their 
consent; and to impose laws upon them, to which they 
had never engaged to submit? Yes, in this alliance all 
common christians in England, were considered as so 
many asses, for the bishops, and their clergy, to ride upon 
to riches and preferment. They first entered into an al- 
liance, without their advice, and took upon them to be 



92 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

their teachers, without consulting them; and then joined 
in making laws, compelling them to pay for their service ; 
without ever giving them notice, till they were called to 
pay. And what has been worst of all, after making them 
pay, soundly, for usurping the office, of being their teach- 
ers, yet they never were at pains to fulfil the duties of 
that character. In this alliance, the church, signifies no 
more, but the clergy; and the state, the richest man in 
the nation; and these two parties, to secure their own 
private interest, join, to oppress the community, by laying 
on taxes to pay the pensions, of the tools of this alliance. 

There is some reason to suppose, that had there not been 
some considerable worldly advantages and emoluments, ar- 
rising from this alliance, to these holy men, who were so 
earnest in joining with state, that it would long since had 
leave to sustain its own weight, as far as respected their 
assistance. There are a goodly number of people who 
would join interests, with such as are ready to pay some 
thousands a year, for doing nothing. Balaam longed to 
join with, the king of Moab, after he had been informed of 
great promised honors and riches; but there is the greatest 
reason to believe, that he would never have saddled his ass, 
had he not had the expectation and promise of wealth and 
dignity. Were there not so many honors and advantages 
attending this famous alliance, I might venture to prophecy, 
that there would be few of the present clergy in it. Money 
is just about as ill spent by the government, upon the clergy 
in this alliance, as the charges Balak laid out upon Ba- 
laam, in carrying him abroad, to curse the children of Is- 
rael. The one, has never answered the purpose it is de- 
signed for, more than the other. If all the money spent 
upon priests of the establishment and of downright papacy, 
had been devoted to maintain teachers to instruct the peo- 
ple in the true doctrines and duties of religion, and loyalty, 
we might say, it was all saved. If we have any reason 
for judging, from facts, it could be very easily made to ap- 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 93 



pear, that the people are as wise, religious and loyal, to the 
government, who have borne the expense of their own reli- 
gion, and paid their own teachers, as any portion of those, 
who have been under the nose of any bishop of England. 
Had the government seen fit to diminish the taxes upon the 
people, and supplied their places, with taxes upon the dean 
and chapter lands, and the superfluities of their bishops 
and clergy, the people would have been better instructed, 
than they now have been, and have been found better sup- 
porters of civil government. 

Whenever and wherever the people have been truly in- 
structed in the doctrines, .and duties, of the Holy scriptures, 
to read them daily, and understanding^, there has been no 
reason to fear that such, would be bad members of good 
society. It is in places where the scriptures are neglected, 
or concealed, or erroneously taught, that the people have 
become, or continued, ignorant, barbarous and troublesome 
to the state, and to one another. Yet, some of these high 
church folks, and even papists have urged, that heresies 
would overflow the land, were there no church authority, 
nor spiritual courts. But from a want of this church au- 
thority, and these spiritual courts, I can see no danger — 
but from the ignorance of the doctrines of the Bible, which 
is an inseparable attendant of church authority, and such 
spiritual courts. There appears to me, to be no better 
method for preventing heresy, than ably and faithfully 
teaching the truth — and we can find it nowhere better 
taught, than in the Bible. And suppose the church of Eng- 
land had as much power, as their bishops desire; what ef- 
fect could it have upon the consciences of men, unless they 
were first convinced by evidence from the Bible ? and then, 
there would be no occasion for any other power. 

It appears indeed, from church history, that there never 
were so many heresies, till bishops or false prophet's pre- 
tended they had power to expel them, or to bind the con- 
sciences of the people, by calling in the aid of the secular 



94 -THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

arm, to awe them to a submission to their impositions. 
The Apostles, by authority from the Holy Ghost, gave or- 
ders to reject heretics; but such, were open teachers and 
advocates of other doctrines than were taught by the Bible; 
these heretics were like the modern advocates of secular 
power, or deniers of the truth, as taught by the scriptures ; 
and all ought to admit that such should not be permitted to 
commune, on religious subjects, with true believers. But 
the Apostles did not direct that even such, should be fined, 
or persecuted, or slain. They left them in possession of all 
their civil rights as men, and citizens; and only denied 
them christian communion. And they have never told us, 
that it ever will be right, even when magistrates happen to 
be called christians, to call upon their aid, through the use 
of the secular arm, to help us persecute them; but teach 
us, definitely, that we must laave them to the judgment of 
the Great Day. It is true, the Apostles used a" method of 
preventing and taking off heresy, which after times have 
frequently deemed insufficient. They prevented it by fur- 
nishing all the evidence they could, to persuade the people 
of the truth, as it is in Jesus ; and when they would not 
listen to it, but opposed themselves, they left them not to 
the secular power, but the judgment of the Almighty. In 
a word, when any become heretics, by departing from the 
truth, and openly advocating error; they withdrew chris- 
tian fellowship ; but never persecuted them, nor desired 
others to do it. 

To teach men faithfully, out of the scriptures, and then 
permit them to judge for themselves, is all that any teacher 
of Christianity can or ought to do in this matter. Experi- 
ence, may teach the world, that christians can never be ed- 
efied, but where they choose their own teachers. And 
such as they employ for this purpose, they should pay, 
themselves ; and where the people really and freely do this, 
it will be found that they have no need of any alliance 
with the state, or authority from a bishop, for the support 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 95 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

of religion ; nor, in such cases, has ever the government 
found any loss from a want of instruction among such sub- 
jects. Where Christian doctrines are ably taught, in their 
simplicity and beauty, there, it may be said, with empha- 
sis, every soul is, for conscience's sake, subject to the higher 
powers ; but this is never seen, nor known, where teachers 
are above their business, and neglect, or are incompetent to 
instruct the people in the knowledge of the scriptures. 

If this alliance has ever been useful to mankind, the case 
is yet unknown — at this moment, there is not as little 
knowledge, among any protestants on earth, as there is 
among the common people of England. Multitudes can- 
not read the scriptures, nor have they the least understand- 
ing about, ohristain doctrines, any further than to know 
a church from some other building; and many would not 
know that. And it is stated on good authority, that twenty 
to one, of any other protestants, are to be reckoned members 
of the church of England. And how could it be otherwise? 
where their teachers, such as they are many of them, horse 
jockeys, gamblers, debauchees, and real wine-bibbers — 
having three or four livings; and where they hire the 
cheapest possible, as a substitute, to take the care of souls ? 
Were the people regularly taught the scriptures, and led to 
read them thoroughly, they would receive some edification; 
but except some lessons, here and there, these children of 
the flocks of churchmen, never hear any thing about them. 
Instead of sound and edifying teachings and expositions of 
portions of the scriptures, showing the people the interest 
they have in obeying the truth, the teachers, generally, 
please themselves, with harangues, which they call ser- 
mons, but which, for the most part, have no relation to true 
gospel discourses. • 

It may perhaps be inferred from the preceding remarks, 
that we think that the constitution of church and state, in 
Eugland, ought to be altogether overthrown. But, to cor- 
rect such an inference, we here state, freely, that if the es- 



96 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

tablished church of England, be actually a part of the civil 
constitution, we would find no fault with her ; but admit 
that she is as good as any other of the kind, and could not 
give place to another. But then we would not have her 
pretend to be what she is not — a New Testament church. 
She may be a salutary engine for political government, and 
serve the same purpose to the state, that any political church 
ever did ; and we have no doubt but archbishops and bish- 
ops, and their clergy, are as useful to the English govern- 
ment, as the Roman Pontifex Maximus, with all the tribe 
of his clergy were to the Romans. Yet, the Christian re- 
ligion is, in our view, as much concerned with the one as 
the other. 

As the Apostles, and our Lord, never found any fault 
with the civil government of Rome, nor interfered with the 
state religion, farther than telling such as were pleased to 
hear them, that it was idolatry; nor gave themselves any 
trouble concerning it, except when the civil power wanted 
them to comply with their worship which they never 
would do ; — so the followers of the Apostles, ought to im- 
itate them, and suffer the state to have what religion it 
pleaseth ; providing that it does not impose it, upon them. 
There is no warrant in the New Testament, for any party 
to impose their religion, upon another. But when they are 
called to give their reasons for their non-conformity, chris- 
tians have no cause to be ashamed or afraid to do it. 

When any establishment makes laws to compel noncon- 
formists to comply with the political religion, upon the pain 
of loss or suffering, as in the recent case, in Great Britain, 1 * 
it is a plain evidence that the establishment is not a New 
Testament church; for, in the christian religion, there is no 
compulsion. If the present national religion be essential to 

*When, as is well known, only two years since, over six hundred of the 
most able advocates of the doctrines of the faith, ever known in England, 
were driven from their churches by act of Parliament, and prohibited from 
meeting or teaching their people, any where between the salt sea and dry 
land of their God accursed island. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 97 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

t 

the existence of the civil government, in England, it seems 
abundantly evident tiaat none should be admitted to any 
share in the government, but such as are of that commun- 
ion; but then, they ought not to be called by authority, to 
exercise any office under it, when their consciences will not 
allow them to comply with those things which are requisite 
to qualify them. Churches established by human law, are 
not even satisfied with enjoying all the profits of their set- 
tlement; unless they can bring other people to defile their 
consciences, by endeavoring to compel them to do what they, 
believe to be sinful. Hence, all the seceders there, have 
only done their duty. 

It is supposing non-conformists to be worse than asses, 
to endeavor to compel them to serve in offices, both civil 
and religious, where they must first join in a service to 
God, against which their consciences are known to be op- 
posed. When men are allowed their own method in wor- 
shipping God, and are not compelled to anything against 
their consciences, they have no reason to find fault with 
the established religion. But when such Christians are 
compelled to support it, by their means, and forced to com- 
ply with its rituals, or suffer losses, they clearly have 
reason to complain of want of Christian liberty. 

Intelligent leaders in the obnoxious establishment, and 
all other correct reasoners, must certainly account those 
disssenters, infidels; who consent to a mode of worship 
which has no authority in the Word of God. 

If the alliance between church and state, make it lawful 
for the church to impose principles and worship upon dis- 
senters ; upon the same principle, it will be lawful for any 
church whatever, to oblige all dissenters to comply ; or pun- 
ish them less or more for any resistance. If this be a good 
principle, the protestants in no region of country, have any 
reason to complain of Roman Catholic imposition; when a 
church of their own persuasion, does the same thing. 

There always have been, many simple, slavish asses, 
7 



98 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

among dissenters, in by gone days, as well among those 
who dissent from the new school fooleries and blasphemies 
of the present day, as among the puritans ; who can with- 
out any hesitation, conform to the popular establishment, 
and take on their "burdens, for merely some small worldly 
advantage — or to please their friends, &c. (fee., and thus, 
most profanely tamper with their consciences, in the sight 
of both God and men ! Some, of high church party, your 
Peuseyites, your Onderdonks, and your Doanes, who are 
considered nearest to the top of the fashion; are coming, 
every day nearer to the delicious embrace of their old moth- 
er, though they have so often themselves said, that she had 
played the harlot; and hundreds, and thousands, even 
among protestants, already seem, to have little other objec- 
tion against her, than that she herself, is not yet far enough 
departed from the truth. From some aversion they have 
concieved at the present articles and creeds of their estab- 
lishment, on account of their admitted likeness to the scrip- 
tures, they rave against them ; but evidently, from no other 
principle, but their enmity to the New Testament ; which 
through some unfortunate mistake, they concieve them to 
resemble. All these noble spirits, however, have still a 
stout inclination to go to heaven, within the trammels and 
trappings of a liturgy ; and make the most zealous efforts 
to have as gorgeous and wanton a way, to worship their 
maker, as they can possibly contrive. Most of the new 
school perfectionists, from the most philosophical Truairs 
and Finney, down to the blind authors of their delusions, 
the Taylors — the Beechers, the Barnes, and the Camp- 
bells, one might suppose, have become such refined and 
sublimated protestants, that they seem to think the Almigh- 
ty should be worshipped in the Jewish pontificial style ; and 
that the New Testament church should be confined to the 
old. And perhaps, we shall find them, after some little 
further consultations, agree to introduce for the gratification 
of the curious, females as well as males, who occupy their 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 99 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

"anxious seats," the entertaining right of circumcision. 
Yes, nothing is more likely, under the fury of the present 
intellectual intoxication, than that many, among protest- 
ants of all denominations, would be found to be asses, of 
such meanness, as to submit to all this. 

If the civil powers, would be so condescending as to 
make a law for circumcission, and annex emoluments to it, 
these cidevant bishops, and perfectionists prophets, we verily 
believe, would do their best, in training asses, to submit to 
the degradation. But, as the pain connected with such an 
entertainment, would most likely be more than a counter- 
part to the pleasure and profit; and as these prophets them- 
selves, could not decently neglect to observe a religious or- 
dinance established by law ; it is possible, that this piece of 
improvement; and perfectionism, may remain unattempted, 
among the rest of those things, which the people are not 
yet ripe for. 

I shall conclude with observing, that there is scarce a 
man who may assume the character of a prophet, though 
as illiterate and ignorant, as Madam Folsom, Joe. Smith 
or Miller, but will find plenty of asses, among the people, 
even in this American Republic, to answer his purpose. 
Though Balaam, and his ass are dead, many ages ago; yet 
their offspring are still very numerous. But who would 
think, that any of this character, could be found in these 
United States, which have become the toast of the nations, 
for pretentions to intelligence, independence and civil and 
religious liberty? Yet true it is, that there are diverse, al- 
most innumerable false prophets, religious as well as civil, 
loco focos, in this enlightened nation ; all of whom, have 
their full complement of asses. 

Even here, we find slaves in abundance — here we find 
hundreds, who through indolence and sloth, are bearing 
heavy burdens — here, we find many who style themselves 
free-thinkers, under the burden of a guilty conscience — 
here, you may find the loco focos, of the church, and the 



100 "THIN SS NEW AND OLD,"' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

loco focos of the state, leading their asses, which they have 
fitted for mounting, whenever they please. And how se- 
verely soever, they are at times, treated by their Balaam- 
like masters, they still, tamely and submissively, turn and 
say, are not we your asses, upon which you have ridden, ever 
since we were yours ? 
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 



SERMON V. 



ROMANS XV 



For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were 
written for our learning, that we, through patience 



Christian reader — Nothing can be more evident in 
the first place, than that the Holy Ghost, through his 
Apostle, has, here, without reserve or limitation, 
applied the whole of the doctrinal, historical and pro- 
phetical parts of the Old Testament Scriptures, to the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of his salvation. 

And we have selected this text, with a view to bring be- 
fore the public, certain distinguished charactes in both 
church and state, whom we did not honor in our dedica- 
tion, to wit: such as have shown themselves to be follow- 
ers of Thomas Jefferson and Tom Paine, with respect to 
both religion and geology. We shall confine our remarks 
and illustrations, to the history of the antediluvian or pri- 
meval state of men, including the history of the deluge, 
with the view to establish the testimony of Moses, against 
this ungodly class of men. 

The term antediluvian, you know, has been universally 
employed to denote anything that happened or existed, be- 
fore the general deluge. But we are compelled to admit. 



102 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

in the commencement of our lecture, that the records of 
the antediluvian world are extremely brief; yet they con- 
tain many important and perfectly creditable intimations 
respecting the religion, the arts, and the policy of the pri- 
mal race of men. The creation of the world; and of its 
various inhabitants and productions; the rapid and exces- 
sive corruption of the entire human race, till God destroyed 
them all by a reduction of the earth to a state of primeval 
chaos, are all recorded in six short chapters, in the fore part 
of the book of Genesis : and this is the only authentic record 
of the history of the world, for upwards of sixteen hundred 
years ! But this period was fertile, no doubt, in incidents 
and inventions, and important to the historian, as exhibiting 
the gradual development of the human character ; together 
with the origin and increase of those arts which contrib- 
ute to the comforts and elegancies of life. And it would 
be highly interesting to show the progress of only the use- 
ful and ornamental arts, which we know, with certainty, 
existed in the antediluvian world; and which, were, in 
all probability, transmitted to the post-diluvian ages, as 
the basis of future improvements. It would be no less in- 
teresting, to explore the cause of that corruption, which, 
at last, became so general, and which produced such dis- 
astrous consequences ! We have the strongest reasons to 
believe, that a high degree of refinement in luxury, accom- 
panied this universal and awful corruption ; as great na- 
tional depravity has never been seen, when not preceded 
by refinement, and attended by corruption. Our informa- 
tion, however, with respect to these exciting topics, is ex- 
tremely limited, and must be taken from the few incidental 
intimatious furnished by sacred history. These intima- 
tions, however, are exceedingly valuable; and, it is to be 
hoped, a review of them, will lea.d us to some important 
and happy results, as to our views respecting the Religion, 
Arts, Government, and Manners, of the antediluvian world. 
Each of these particulars, will be made the subject of our 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 103 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

present observations ; after which, however, we shall notice 
some remarkable circumstances which occur in the scrip- 
ture account of that period ; but which cannot properly be 
comprehended under any of the above heads; and, in con- 
clusion, we shall examine how far the Mosaic accounts re- 
specting that period, are confirmed by other sources of in- 
formation. 

And with respect to the Religion of the antediluvians, 
as the Bible is chiefly the history of it, we have a fuller 
account of this, than of any other circumstance connected 
with their history. Although they had neither written 
laws, nor a written revelation, yet there can be no doubt, 
that their religion was communicated to them from heaven, 
as really and emphatically, as the religion either of Jews 
or Christians. For the "Almighty God, " — the u I Am 
that I Am" and "Jehovah," by either and each of which 
terms, the Soyereign of the universe chose to make his 
Godhead known to the antediluvians, actually conversed 
with our first parents ; made known to them his will ; de- 
finitely informed them how they must worship him; and 
emphatically appointed certain institutions, as auxiliaries 
to their faith, and memorials of their duty. The most 
prominent and remarkable of those institutions were, the 
Sabbath, and Sacrifices. The former of these, was ap- 
pointed directly on finishing the work of creation, and was 
designed to serve as a memorial of the wisdom, and good- 
ness, and power of God, till the end of the world. It is a 
strange mistake, and in our view, absolutely absurd, to sup- 
pose, with Spencer, and many other infidel and petulent 
scriblers, that the Sabbath was merely a Jewish rite, when 
it is as evident, as the voice, and language, and majesty of 
the infinite God could make it, that it was Ordained for all 
mankind from the beginning of the world! 

The septennary division of Time, which obtained amongst 
nations, who were entire strangers to the Jewish ritual, af- 



104 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

fords conclusive evidence, that they derived their practice 
from an entirely different source, than that of the authority 
of God. In fact, the injunction given to the Israelites at 
Sinai, to observe the Sabbath, was not imparted as any 
new Institution, but was founded on a well known primi- 
tive use. "In six days, the Lord made heaven and earth," 
&c. ; "wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and 
hallowed it." Here we perceive the meaning of the word 
day, as used by God in his account of the work of creation. 
The first revolution of light and darkness, in God Al- 
mighty's universe, he emphatically denominated a day. 
The second revolution of light and darkness, the second 
day. The third revolution of light and darkness, the third 
day. The fourth revolution of light and darkness, the 
fourth day. The fifth revolution of light and darkness, the 
fifth day. The sixth revolution of light and darkness, the 
sixth day. And having here finished his work, he ordained 
and declared the seventh revolution of light and darkness 
■ — should be known as the seventh day — the Sabbath — 
on which he rested — saying himself, he rested on the 
seventh day, and sanctified it. In prophetic style, the 
meaning of the word day r is always uncertain. Thus much 
for the meaning of the term " day," as used by God in his 
revelation to mankind. 

But, as to the origin of Sacrifices, our information is not 
so precise, and definite ; — it is, however, sufficiently clear, 
to authorize us to affirm, that they were early observed, and 
that their observance was by Divine appointment. It never 
has been doubted, amongst intelligent orthodox christians, 
that in the promise, that " the seed of the woman should 
bruise the head of the serpent," an intimation was distinct- 
ly conveyed to Adam, that the human race should be de- 
livered by the Messiah ; indeed, we have reason to believe 
that our first parents, and their offspring, believed, and so 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 105 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

understood this promise. We are told in Heb. XL, that 
Abel, Enoch, and Noah, and we must suppose all the righ- 
teous antediluvian patriarchs, died in "this faith, not hav- 
ing received the promises, but having seen them afar ofT." 
In this view, Christianity may justly be said to be nearly as 
old as the creation; as it was undoubtedly revealed to the 
first race of men ; whose faith only differed from ours, by 
being placed in anticipation, whilst ours is in retrospection, 
viz: they looked forward in hope of what the Messiah was 
to accomplish, and we look backward in faith of what he 
has actually done. It is most probable, that together with 
the promise made to our first parents, sacrifices were then 
instituted, to give them a more striking and clear concep- 
tion of the hope set before them. It is of no consequence, 
that the institution, at that time, was not stated expressly; 
for there are the strongest facts, which sufficiently demon- 
strate its origin. But it has been blasphemously supposed 
by some that sacrifices, are merely a natural expression of 
piety and gratitude to the creator, and that shedding 
the blood of animals, indicated a conviction, on the 
part of the offerer, that his sins needed expiation. The 
first sacrifices, however, of which we have any record, 
were offered under very different circumstances. The wick- 
ed Cain, who cannot be supposed to have been induced by 
sentiments of piety, is the first who is mentioned, as mak- 
ing an offering to the Lord; and that not an expiatory sac- 
rifice, as might have been expected, (if any could be ex- 
pected from a sinner) but, " the fruits of the ground." His 
righteous brother, on the other hand, offered a bloody sacri- 
fice, which being offered in faith, was acceptable to God. 
Heb. XI. 4. Now the only legitimate inference, that any 
unprejudiced intelligent reader can draw from this is, that 
both the brothers offered, not from the dictates of reason or 
the impulse of natural feeling, but in consequence of a well 
known Divine commandment — else we must allow Cain 
to have the honor of the invention of the institution! But 



106 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

further ; it is also clear, that the antediluvians had duly ap- 
pointed places of public, social worship ; and that there was 
some spot, where the Almighty particularly manifested his 
presence — for we find Cain. chiefly complaining, that, in 
consequence of his punishment, "he should be hid, or shut 
out, from the presence of the Lord" — which is scarcely 
intelligible, unless there was some place, where the Sheki- 
nah, or glory of Divine presence, particularly dwelt among 
them on that day, every seventh day, that being the pro- 
portion of time which God has ordained to be observed by 
all nations, to the end of time. In order to relieve. his ap- 
prehensions of danger, on account of this removal from the 
" Divine presence," God, we are told, "seta mark upon 
him," or, as it should be translated, "gave him a token, 
that no man might kill him." This is implied in the Septu- 
agint translation, as admitted by all. As the. first race of 
men, therefore, were thus immediately instructed by God, 
there cannot remain a doubt, but that they were fully ac- 
quainted with the doctrine of a future state of existence, and 
of rewards and punishments. Thus much for sacrifices. 

But alas ! we find, in these modern days, Warburton and 
others in Great Britain and Europe; and Our cidevant the- - 
ologians, of the present day, and their pert imitators, enter- 
tain notions on this subject, which have recieved the well 
merited scoffs, of every intelligent, open Deist, in the land 
who has paid attention to their theories ; as they are utterly 
without any thing like a rational foundation. But, it is true, 
Abel was no sooner accepted of God, than he was slain ! 
Are we then to suppose, that the antediluvians were left to 
believe that murder and annihilation, were the rewards of 
acceptance with God? It is impossible — "God forbid; " the 
supposition and the inference are absurb ! On the contrary, 
they must have been convinced, that since Abel was ac- 
cepted, he was rewarded ; and that could only be in another 
world. Besides, it is said, that Enoch walked with God, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," IO7 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

and was not. for God took him ; " which can be only un- 
derstood according to the Apostle's interpretation, that, "he 
was translated, that he should not see death." Now, if his 
contemporaries knew that he did not die, as it appears from 
the history that they certainly did; what were they to sup- 
pose had become of him ! The only rational answer here 
is, they believed that " God had taken him to another world 
to live forever!" But, some of our cidevant theologians, 
referred to above, say "it is incredible that Adam understood 
the threatning against eating of the tree of the knowledge 
of good and evil, as intimating any thing more than tem- 
poral death ! " How did he obtain any idea then of im- 
mortal life? His children all possessed and cherished it. 
But if they had no idea of eternal death, the whole story of 
the Bible from the first chapter of Genesis, to last of Rev- 
elations is an atrocious fraud and falsehood ! Thus much 
for the antediluvian knowledge of the mode of worship ap- 
pointed by God, in the observance of which, his creatures 
would become acceptable to him. 

With respect to the antediluvian Arts, though interesting, 
must be speedily discussed, for want of materials of authen- 
tic information. 

The first city, however, we know, was founded by Cain ; 
but as to its size, or architecture, the sacred historian is en- 
tirely silent. From the state of society, it is probable that it 
was at first, of comparatively small dimensions; and if, as 
new-schoolmen suppose, men were at that time ignorant of 
the use of iron and brass, the work must have been rudely 
executed. It is, however, said in the Scriptures, that " Tu- 
bal-Cain," from which the word Vulcan is supposed to be 
derived, "the seventh in descent from Adam, was the in- 
stractor of every artificer in brass and iron." It may, there- 
fore, be doubted, you see, whether this implies that they 
were entirely ignorant of these arts before. Jabal, and 
Jubal, the brothers of Tubal-Cain. by the same father, 



108 ''THINGS NEW AND OLD,' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

though from different mothers, their father, Lamach, heing 
the first polygamist, were also eminent for their proficiency 
in the useful and ornamental arts. The former was the 
father of all such as dwelt in tents, and had cattle ; the latter, 
of all such as handle the harp and organ. Nor, if we 
may believe the Jews, were the arts confined to the line of 
Cain. The descendants of Seth, we are told, were emi- 
nently skilled in astronomy; and Josephus asserts, that 
there were stone pillars erected by the children of Seth, and 
covered with astronomical inscriptions, to be seen in his 
time, in the land of Siriad. The infidels have made much 
profane merriment over this fact stated by Josephus; we 
freely leave them to their sportings and self-deceivings, till 
the scene of the last day. We have a surer proof of the pro- 
gress of the arts, in the line of Seth, in the construction of the 
ark, which saw built by Noah. It is probable, and we think 
very probable, too, that it would baffle the skill of modern 
artists, to construct such a vessel; and though it may, with 
propriety, be alleged that Noah had little merit in the project 
or execution of it; as the ark was built according to the ac- 
knowledged directions from the Almighty; yet, these direc- 
tions apply merely to the dimensions, which it was impossi- 
ble for Noah to have known, without Divine revelation. As 
to the construction of the vessel itself, there can be little 
doubt that this was left to his own ingenuity and skill. It 
is absurd to suppose, with bishop Newton, though he loved 
a good dinner, as well as an alderman, that they were 
unacquainted with the use of letters. 

We are informed by St. Jude, that Enoch delivered proph- 
ecies ; which, from what we know, it is most reasonable to 
suppose, were committed to writing. At any rate, we have 
not yet heard of any society, which had made such pro- 
gress in the arts, as the antediluvians certainly did, without 
being acquainted with the use of letters. The argument 
will be so much the stronger, if we suppose alphabetic char- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 109 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

acters of any kind, to be by fiivine revelation; which, as 
God has declared, in a certain place, the ivriting was his 
it cannot be presumption to admit, that they had a knowl- 
edge of language. 

Again — as to the Government of the antediluvians, this 
was manifestly, patriarchal. To use the words of a truly 
learned prelate, Newton, the father of a family, by divine 
constitution,. became the prince and governor of it; but it is 
absurd to infer from hence that absolute dominion, which 
Filmer and Lesly, have so strenuously asserted; but which 
Locke and Hoadly, have so amply refuted. In all probabil- 
ity, there were two, great governments ; one in the line of 
Seth, and the other in the line of Cain; which was after- 
wards, divided and subdivided into several branches, as man- 
kind grew more numerous and nations were more multiplied 
and diffused over the face of the eartH. In the days when 
the doctrines of passive obedience, and the divine, indefensi- 
ble right of kings, were in vogue, in Great Britain and Eu- 
rope, Sir Robert Filmer, the first, just now mentioned, wrote 
a treatise entitled " Patriarcha" ; in order to prove that ab- 
solute monarchy was the only kind of government, coun- 
tenanced by the Almighty God! And this, he endeavoured 
to find in the grant of dominion which God gave to Adam. 
And this doctrine became so fashionable, at that time, for 
a while, among high churchmen, and courtiers, that the 
pretended, antediluvian form of government had almost 
overturned the English constitution. Had not Mr. Locke 
deemed it his duty to take up his pen, and come fotward in 
its defence, and effectually, put a stop to the furious torrent 
of absurdity, and national self-mockery ; even the consti- 
tution of England, would have been about as wisely, "ex- 
punged," as were lately, some of the most honorable parts 
of the records of the august senate of the United States. 5 * 

We refer here, to the "expunging" sentence respecting Jackson's des- 
truction of the National Bank. 



10 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

One of this sapient Sir Robert's proofs, was, the absolute 
dominion given to Adam over Eve, and her posterity, 
which he contends, was intimated in that part of the sen- 
tence pronounced against the woman, "Thy desire shall be 
to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." To which 
Mr. Locke shrewdly replies, that such was not a time 
when Adam could expect grants and privileges ; and that 
God then, rather put a spade into his hands, to subdue and 
til the earth, than a sceptre, to rule over its inhabitants. 

Pardon this digression. We come next to the Manners 
if the antediluvians, and we now proceed to take a brie f no- 
tice of them. Even according to the orthodox poet, the first 
step in the progress of civilization is, " Connubio prohibere 
vago, dare jure maritis" The propriety of the maxim is 
apparent — and it evidently rests on higher authority than 
mere opinion ; for the first civil institution, which God ap- 
pointed to man, was the ordinance of marriage, restricted to 
one man and o'ne woman, by the original proportion between 
the sexes. We know, however, it was not long before 
this wholesome restriction was violated, and polygamy 
introduced, by the example of Lamech. A regulation on 
expediency, and obviously conducive to the welfare and 
highest interests of society, viz: the prohibited degrees Of 
consanguinity in marriage, must have been unknown in 
the first age of the world, and the first marriage, after that 
of Adam and Eve, must have been between brothers and 
sisters Thus much for the institution of marriage. 

It has been a question extensively debated, whether the 
antediluvians were permitted to eat animal food. There 
is certainly, nothing in the scripture account, which au- 
thorises us to suppose that they had such permission, but 
entirely the contrary. The Almighty specifies, in as pre- 
cise language as can well be conceived, the particular diet 
which man was to use ; and there is no mention of animal 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 111 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

food, nor any hint that it was permitted. " Behold, I have 
given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face 
of all the earth, and every tree, in the which, is the fruit 
of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Gen- 
esis 1, 29. The natural inference, from this passage is, 
that the diet of the antediluvians was restricted to the fruits 
of the earth ; and that they were, by no means, permitted 
to feed on the flesh of animals. The same thing appears 
in the grant, afterwards given to Noah, " Every moving 
thing that liveth, shall be meat for you; even as the green 
herb, have I given you all things. " Which is as much as 
to say, " 1 give you now, as full permission to use the flesh 
of animals, for food, as you have, hitherto had to use the 
fruits of the earth. In answer to this, it has been said, 
that the permission to use animal food, was implied in the 
absolute dominion which God gave to. Adam over every 
living thing. But this argument would prove too much — 
it would prove, that every creature subjected to the power 
of man, was allowed him for food; which is more than 
Kreotophagists, or any savages would admit, as one of 
their arguments is, that there was from the beginning, a 
distinction between clean and unclean animals; which they 
contend could only have been made with reference to food. 
But to this, we answer, that the distinction was made 
with express reference to sacrifice, and probably, with an 
allusion to the future distinction between Jews and Gen- 
tiles. Hence, we find, when this distinction was to cease, 
it was intimated to St. Peter, by a vision of animals of 
all descriptions, clean and unclean, let down, as it were, 
in a sheet, from heaven, of which the apostle was com- 
manded to eat promiscuosly. 

We will now proceed to offer a few observations, on 
some remarkable circumstances in the antediluvian history, 
which cannot be included under either of the foregoing 
heads. One circumstance recorded in this history, has been 



112 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

represented as very wonderful, viz. the marriages, which 
are said to have taken place, between the sons of God, and 
the daughters of men; though we are satisfied that the 
wonder arises, solely, from the misconceptions of ignorance; 
or, from a love of the marvellous ! It would be irksome to 
us, to detail the absurdities which have been advanced, to 
obscure a subject, which, a little attention to the phraseol- 
ogy and contents of scripture, might have easily elucidated. 
Nothing is more common in scripture, than to denomi- 
nate believers, the sons, or the children of God, in contra- 
distinction to the children of unbelief, or of this world. By 
the sons of God, then, we are to understand those who 
observed his commandments; and by the daughters of 
men, are to understand, the offspring of that degenerate 
race, which despised and trampled on the laws of their 
Creator. Those who adopt this interpretation, which seems 
to be the only one that is rational and admissible, suppose 
farther, that the descendants of Seth, are intended by the 
former terms, and that the latter point out the daughters of 
Cain. There is the best ground for this opinion ; and the 
Jews, by whom it was always thus received, not content 
with the language of scripture, have invented many rab- 
binical fables, in order to confirm it. 

But one hint from Scripture, is worth ten thousand con- 
jectures; In Genesis 4, xxvi, it is said, " And to Seth, to 
him also, there was born a son, and he called his name 
Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord; " 
or, as it is more properly translated, then began men to call 
themselves by the name of the Lord; that is, to call them- 
selves the sons or the children of God ; and, as this circum- 
stance is mentioned immediately in connection with the 
family of Seth, it is probable that it was to his descendants, 
that this designation was appropriated. It appears, how- 
ever, that they soon forfeited the title, through the influence 
of their fair but wicked consorts; and they are not the only 
persons whose temporal existence has been converted into 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 113 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

the gall of bitterness, by fair and yet unprincipled and 
abandoned women. 

But the next thing that claims our attention, is the ex- 
traordinary longevity of the antediluvians! Some, who 
would be considered as the monopolizers of wisdom, have 
endeavored to explain away the wonder altogether. They 
suppose that the time was calculated according to lunar 
years; but there are invincible objections to this supposition. 
First : it would make the age of many of the antediluvians, 
shorter than our own ; and, secondly, if we adopt this 
mode of calculation, it is impossible to imagine where we 
are to stop. Shem lived after the flood, five hundred years ; 
Arphaxed, four hundred and thirty-eight ; Japhet, two hun- 
dred and thirty-nine ; Terah, two hundred and five; Abra- 
ham, one hundred and seventy-five ; Jacob, one hundred 
and forty-seven. These periods will be thought too long, 
by those who startle at the longevity of the primitive race ; 
or the generations immediately succeeding ; but if we ap- 
ply their mode of calculation to them, they will dwindle 
into perfect insignificance. Methuselah himself, would 
barely exceed fourscore ; and Arphaxed, who, according to 
the reckoning in scripture, appeared to have attained to a 
good old age, would be little more than thirty-six ! This 
way of calculation, then, we see, must be abandoned ; and 
we must endeavor to assign some reason for the extended 
duration of human life, in the first ages of the world. 

Various, millions of conjectures, have been advanced, 
upon this topic. But, it has been alleged, that the bodies 
of the first race of men, were much more robust than they 
are at present ; and that the fountain of life was then but 
little contaminated by hereditary disease ; and for a long 
time, none at all. Both these propositions are undoubtedly 
true, and contributed much to protract the life of man. It 
is also true, that the antediluvians enjoyed a much milder 
8 



114 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

temperature of air, than has ever been experienced since 
the flood ; and that they were not exposed to those violent 
extremes of heat and cold, dryness and humidity, which 
relax our frames, and produce disease ? and often early 
death. It appears, however, that during the whole ante- 
diluvian period, there was not the least contraction of the 
life of man; for Adam lived to the age of nine hundred 
and thirty, and Noah to the age of nine hundred and fifty, 
But directly after the flood, we find the period of human 
life gradually diminishing, till at length it shrunk into the 
present contracted span of existence. And these circum- 
stances, certainly, are proof positive, that the antediluvians- 
enjoyed a mild and equal temperature £>f climate, which 
abundantly warranted the thrilling description given by 
the poet, in by-gone days : — 

" Ver erat eternum, placidique tepentibus auris, 
Mulcebat zephiri natos, sine semine fiores." [Ovid. 

In consequence of the deluge — the entire reduction of the* 
earth to a sop — a fatal, an awful revolution took place; even 
the elements, ever since, have been universally charged 
with hostility against the happiness and life of man ! That 
such a revolution did take place, the results have reduced 
to a moral certainty, showing a total change in the original 
constitution of the climate. But we have no doubt but 
Noah and his family, were duly apprised of this approach- 
ing terrific shadow. Indeed, a moderate share of philo- 
sophical skill, in the observation of physical laws, might 
have led all those who had arrived to adult years, in 
the family of Noah, to conclude, with certainty, that such 
a change in the constitution of the earth, must, from the 
immense decomposition of matter, consequent upon it, 
charge the entire atmosphere, when restored and taken 
into a new form, with a poisonous, malarious, humidity, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 115 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

rendering it ever after, a miasmatic and deadly foe to the 
human family, in their generations. God declared defi- 
nitely, to Noah, " I will destroy the earth," with the in- 
habitants," annihilating, you see, all its present forms for- 
ever. God did, according to his promise. When the mass 
of earth took a new form, the waters gradually subsiding, 
every foot of the earth, which afterwards was presented, 
was new — had never been seen before — the very spot 
where the ark rested, being new. 

To this then, the portion of the earth which we now inhab- 
it, furnishes the clearest, sensible evidence that could be pro- 
duced. A consciousness of such a change, ahead, therefore, 
we see, rendered a new covenant by God, with Noah, as im- 
portant to the family of Noah, as to his posterity. Without 
the "promise of the bow in the lurid clouds," then before the 
race in all future time, the prospect must have been as hor- 
rible to them, as we can well conceive! This bow Being an 
entirely new thing — having never been known to exist in 
the celestial atmosphere of antediluvian days — is a posi- 
tive proof that such a revolution as we have described, did, 
in every respect, then take place. But the immediate des- 
eendants, inheriting from their fathers the stamina of lon- 
gevity, were kindly sustained by their Creator, in resisting the 
sudden effects of this deteriorated climate. Indeed, the first 
post-diluvian generation, reached to nearly half the com- 
parative age of their predecessors. The vigor, however, of 
the human constitution, was soon seen rapidly undermining, 
by the various deteriorating, progressive tide of evils; and 
it soon sunk away to that point, where, by the irreversable 
decree of the Almighty, it then rested ; and that is the point 
where it now stands — and where, by the purpose, and 
power, and immutable truth and goodness of Him, who 
measures years, and destinies, and the slow, but mighty 
cycles of eternity, it is to be continued to the end of time. 
We are bound to notice another remarkable circumstance- 
connected with this portion of history, viz : the existence of 



116 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

giants in the antediluvian ages. It cannot be at all admit* 
ted, as has been absurdly urged by some, that the whole 
race of men, during that period, were giants; for, from their 
being so particularly specified, it is most evident that they 
were of rare occurrence; though, as we have all along' as- 
sumed and maintained, there can be no doubt that the race 
was, in that early period, considerably superior even in 
stature as well as in intelleet, to the present race of men. 
That they were so in intellect, is most abundantly proved 
by the audacious enterprizes in those days, and by the 
generations immediately following.^ But many attempts 
have been made to discredit the accounts of these giants. 
Amongst others — some of the grievously debased, and 
grovelling minded,, imbecile maniacs, as we hesitate not 
to call them, when compared with their antediluvian an- 
cestors, have, " proved to a demonstration," as they call it, 
that the existence of giants, is mathematically impossible ! 
Our only wonder here is, that an attempt so palpably ab- 
surd and silly, should ever have been countenanced by any 
creature in human shape. The argument is, that animals, 
trees, or vegetables, if extended far beyond what we are 
accustomed to find their common size, would fall to pieces 
by their own weight ! Now this is about as near rational 
logic, as would be the argument, that as an idiot has no 

*The intellect, natural penetration, judgement, intelligence, and moral 
powers of Adam, in his original state : ''being made a little lower than the 
angels — crowned by his Creator with glory and honor," and receiving and 
executing the high commission, to give names to all the creatures He had 
made, so that by whatever name Adam called them, they are to be called in 
all time, — have been possessed and enjoyed, in equal measure, by no indi- 
viudal of his descendants, — and will not be, if ever, until after the res- 
surrection. Yet, one of the ephemera of our fermented times, says: — 
"Adam's theological knowledge was so limited and inefficient, that he 
knew not the meaning of the moral law of God, nor what would be the 
effects of transgression, or disobedience." Mas! poor Adam! — upon such 
suppositions, and principles, he was a great baby, indeed. We solemnly ask, 
how can any intelligent man, not to say christian, make such statements? 
We were horrified by this blasphemy, when we first saw it in the author's 
" Notes on Romans." and declared, in the presence of clerical brethren, that 
we would commit ou copy of the book to the flames. Some present,on the 
occasion, sympathized, cordially with us, in our sentiments and resolu- 
tion. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 117 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

skill in preaching the Gospel, there can be no such thing as 
a man, formed, enlightened and commissioned by the infi- 
nite understanding of Almighty God? Still, we freely ad- 
mit, that this scripture account of giants, is laconic : " There 
were giants in those days, in the earth — and when the sons 
of God came in and married their daughters, they bore chil- 
dren to them, which were of old men of renown." It is 
conjectured by Le Clerc, that the "centaurs," of fabulous 
history, were in fact, the antediluvian giants; and he sup- 
ports this conjecture by a very ingenious etymology. The 
giants are called Nepheani, in scripture — and the centaurs 
are said to have been begotten by Ekcephelas, or to have 
been the offspring of Nephale. 

But leaving the topics already noticed, and the authority 
of Moses, we shall next show how far the antediluvian 
history, which he gave, is confirmed by heathen testimo- 
ny. Yet, we are conscious, that the scripture account, 
needs no such testimony, with any class of sober readers, 
to sustain their faith. And here, we will incidentally, re- 
mark, that great injury has often been done to the cause of 
truth, by an injudicious blending of scripture history, with 
heathen mythology. Deists have affected to imagine; and 
some believers have unwisely conceded, for the moment, 
that the Mosaic accounts of the first ages of the world, are 
the feeblest of the sources of defence of Christianity. But, 
we, on the contrary, are immoveably persuaded, that the 
firmest ground which even a theoretic believer can take of 
it, is the Mosaic record. At the same time we will not re- 
ject the confirmation of truth from any quarter ; and though 
it be sufficiently attractive from its native beauty, and by 
the respectability, and nobility, of its adherents; yet, it 
cannot be denied, that it receives additional eclat, when con- 
firmed by the involuntary testimony of strangers and ad- 
versaries. In this view, we proceed to compare some few 
of the heathen accounts, with those given by Moses; and 
we have no doubt, that whatever is found in them consist- 
ent with truth, or probability, will be found equally con- 



118 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

sistent with his narrative; and that whatever contradicts 
it, will be found equally contradictory to reason and com- 
mon sense. 

I will commence with Sanchroniotho, the only author 
who, in point of antiquity, has the least pretensions to com- 
pare with Moses; though the superior antiquity of Moses, 
is admitted by Porphyry, who you know, is among the 
shrewdest of the adversaries of Christianity; and he makes 
this admission, when attempting to overthrow the credit of 
Moses, by the authority of this pretended Phenician histo- 
rian; I have said pretended, because the existence of any 
such author as Sanchroniotho, is problematic in the extreme. 
Such a work was never seen, nor heard of, till the time of 
Adrian, when one Philo Biblius professed to give a transla- 
tion of it. The original never has been seen, and even ac- 
cording to the translator, the work was by no means the 
same, as when it was written, having been much altered 
and disfigured. All that remains, even of the translation, is 
merely some fragments preserved by Eusebius, which have 
been translated into English, with long annotations, by 
bishop Cumberland. On such a document as this, of course, 
little stress can be laid. The account contained in it, how- 
ever, rather confirms, than contradicts the testimony of 
Moses, as you will perceive by the following facts. It de- 
rives all mankind from one pair, Protageus and iEnon, the 
latter of whom is said to have found out the way of gath- 
ering fruit from trees; a striking resemblance of the sin of 
Eve. The offspring of these, are said to have been of enor- 
mous height and bulk. Their descendants, in the seventh 
generation, discovered iron, and the method of working it. 
There first offspring are said to be Genus and Genuea, 
thought, to be Cain and his sister; and we remark, the 
very fact recorded by Moses, as to their working in iron, is 
here confirmed. But though we might give many more 
facts from this translation, we refrain; as the coincidences 
increase at every step, so as to warrant the* conclusion, and 
no other, that these were manufactured from the Mosaic ac- 



"THflNGS NEW AND OLD," 119 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

count, by some merely deistical blackguard. Yet, the work 
is soberly attempted to be played off by both pagans and 
infidels, in opposition to Moses. But we must here leave 
all such alone in their glory ! 

Berosus, a Babylonish priest, who was born in the time 
of Alexander the Great, is the next, most ancient historian 
of these events. All that remains of his works, however, 
are some fragments in Josephus, Eusebius, and others; 
but he expressly mentions the flood; and from Alorus, the 
first man, according to his account, to Xisuthrus, in whose 
time, the flood happened, he reckons ten generations, which 
is exactly the number given by Moses. If we turn from 
these to the Greek and Latin authors, we shall find still 
stronger proofs of the truth of the Mosaic history. Their 
paradisical state is clearly presented by the golden age of 
the Greeks — and many of their authors bear testimony 
to some of the most remarkable facts in sacred history. 

Josephus mentions Hesteius, Hecateus, Hellanieus, and 
others of the Greek historians, as all declaring that the first 
race of men lived to near a thousand years. The writings 
of these authors, which were extant in the time of Jose- 
phus, have been consumed, in the providential conflagra- 
tions of those libraries in the East, where they had been 
deposited ; or destroyed by the nations by whom they have 
been plundered. But Hesiod, whom he mentions as testi- 
fying to the same effect, still remains, to justify the fidelity, 
of this Jewish historian. In his " Works and Days," this 
poet gives the following account — in English, it runs thus: 

"In early times, for full an hundred years — 
The fostering mother, with an anxious eye, 
Cherished at home, the un wieldly, backward boy." 

And, in which of the Greek poets, do we not find the story 
of the giants — their enormous impiety — and their wars 
against the gods? Ovid, has collected into one focus, in his 
Metamorphosis, all the doctrines of the Greek authors, re- 
specting the creation, the primeval happiness of man; and his 



120 "THINGS NEW AND OLD,'' 

OR. EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

rapid and excessive degeneracy — until the whole impious 
race were all swept away with a flood. One would almost 
exclaim, that he was writing out a scripture history on the 
subject. He mentions the impious madness in sin, as the 
consummation of human impiety — and that their overthrow 
immediately followed. On this review, therefore, of the 
coincidences between sacred and profane history, we freely 
observe here, reader, you may rest perfectly satisfied. All 
the accounts, that approach nearest to the time of Moses, 
in point of antiquity, most nearly resemble his in the facts 
which they detail — but the stream of tradition, by a fatal 
necessity, became, like the generations of men, corrupted ; 
and in a short time, their accounts were so disfigured by 
allegory and fable, that we can scarcely perceive any con- 
nection between them, and the original events. As to the 
number of the population at the event of the deluge, 
nothing is known with certainty — but according t6 only 
the ordinary rate of increase in the human species, it must 
have been immensely great. As the general duration of 
human life was at least ten times longer, than it is at pres- 
ent, the rate of increase must have been in the same pro- 
portion — and you see, therefore, that if we adopt this plan 
of calculation, the world must have been much more popu- 
lous, during the period before the flood, than it is at the 
present moment. 

• And here, to close our present sermon, we barely add, as 
a Christian philosopher, the reflection, it is horrible to think, 
that such an enormous population should be all worked up, 
as that was, in a few days, into additional paste, for the re- 
organization of our earth ! Yes, the idea is shocking, 
indeed ! ! ! 

Yea ! exuvia of our fellow beings, but of a larger, nobler 
build, have, with the exuvia of all other animals, been dis- 
covered every where, in endless variety of re-combination, 
in thousands of instances, already, in the crust of our earth, 
since the flood. 



SERMON VI. 



ROMANS XV — 4. 



For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were 
written for our learning, that we, through patience 



Reader — Having, in the preceding part, reviewed Moses' 
account of the creation ; of the religious institutions ordained 
at first, for the observance of man, by the Creator ; and of 
the history of the government, manners, and destiny of 
the race, during a period of sixteen hundred and fifty-six 
years ; it is now our duty and object, to take a view some- 
what more particular and detailed, of the evidences af- 
forded of the fact of a former general inundation of this 
globe, which has ever since been called the deluge. 

The term "deluge," in theology, denotes that universal 
flood, by which the whole inhabitants of this globe, except 
Noah and his family, were destroyed ! 

We here, have arrived at a crisis, in our review of the 
testimony of Moses, the ancient servant of God) where it 
is deemed important, and indeed, indispensable to admit a 
few dashes of glory, furnished by " the Artist" himself, 
upon our canvass. 

"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come 
before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them: 
and behold, I wilTdestroy them with the earth. Make thee 



122 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

an ark of gopher- wood : rooms shalt thou make in the ark, 
and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this 
is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of 
the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fif- 
ty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window 
shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish 
it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side 
thereof: with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou 
make it. And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters 
upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath 
of life, from under heaven : and every thing that is in the 
earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant: 
and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and 
thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every 
living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring 
into the ark, to keep them alive with thee: they shall be 
male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle 
after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth, 
after his kind; two of every sort shall come" unto thee, to 
keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that 
is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee ; and it shall be for 
food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah ; according to 
all that God commanded him, so did he. And Noah went 
in, and his sons, and his wife, and his son's wives, with 
him, into'the ark, because of the* [threatened] waters of the 
flood. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, 
and of fowls, and everything that creepeth upon the earth. 
There went in, two and two, unto Noah, into the ark, the 
male and the female, as God had command Noah. And 
the Lord shut him in. 

And now — anon, "In the six hundredth year of Noah's 
life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, 
the same day were all the fountains of the great deep brok- 
en up, and the windows of heaven were opened." "And 
the waters prevailed upon the earth, and bore up the ark; 
and it was lift up above the earth ; and the ark went upon 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 123 

TO "DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceed- 
ingly upon the earth ; and all the high hills that v;ere under 
the whole heaven were covered. Fifteen cubits upward, 
did the waters prevail : and the mountains were covered. 
And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, 
and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing 
that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: all in whose 
nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry 
land, died. And every living substance was destroyed, 
which was upon the face of the ground, both man and cat- 
tle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of heaven; and 
they were destroyed from the earth ; and Noah only re- 
mained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And 
the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty 
days. 

"And after the end of the hundred and fifty days, the 
waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh 
month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the 
mountains of Ararat. 

"And God tyessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, 
Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth. And the 
fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every 
beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all 
that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the 
sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving 
thing that liveth, shall be meat for you ; even as the green 
herb, have I given you all things : But flesh with the life 
thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And 
surely your blood of your lives will I require : at the hand 
of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; 
at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life 
of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his 
blood be shed ; for in the image of God, made he man. 

"And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abun- 
dantly in the earth, and multiply therein. And God spake 
unto Noah, and to his sons with him saying, And I, behold 



124 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

I, establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after 
you ; And with every living creature that is with you, of 
the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth, with 
you, from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the 
earth. And I will establish my covenant with you ; neither 
shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; 
neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 
"And God said, this is the token of the covenant which 
I make between me and you, and every living creature that 
is with you, for perpetual generations. / do set my Bow in 
the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between 
me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring 
a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the 
cloud ; and I will remember my covenant, which is between 
me and you, and every living creature of all flesh ; and the 
waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 
And the bow shall be in the cloud ; and I will look upon it, 
that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God 
and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 
And God said unto Noah, this is the token of the covenant 
which I have established between me and all flesh that is 
upon the earth." 

According to the most approved systems of chronology, 
as we have before stated, this remarkable event happened 
in the year 1656, after the creation ; or about 236S years 
before the Christian era. Of so general a calamity, from 
which only a single family of all who then lived on the face of 
the earth, was preserved ; we might, naturally, indeed, ex- 
pect to find some memorials in the traditionary records of 
Pagan history, as well as in the sacred volume, where its 
peculiar cause, and the circumstances which attended it, 
are so distinctly and fully related. Its magnitude and sin- 
gularity, could scarcely fail to make an indelible impres- 
sion on the minds of the survivors; which would be com- 
municated from them to their children ; and would not, 



I 

"THINGS NEW AND OLD/' 125 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

therefore, be easily effaced from the traditions of even their 
latest posterity. Any deficiency in such traces or sources 
of evidence of this awful event, though perhaps it might 
not entirely invalidate our belief of its reality, who have 
philosophically examined the surface of the earth around 
us; yet, would' certainly tend considerably to weaken the 
claim of the fact to credibility ; it being scarcely possible 
that the knowledge of it, should be utterly lost to the rest 
of the world, and confined to the documents of the Jewish 
nation alone ! And here, therefore, as we will now prove 
to you, what, and all that we might reasonably expect, or 
that the most incredulous and captious, could require, has 
accordingly, been actually and completely realized. In- 
deed, the evidence which has been brought from almost 
every quarter of the world, to establish the reality of this 
event, is of the most conclusive and irresistible kind; and 
every investigation, whether etymological or historical, 
which has been made, concerning heathen rites and tradi- 
tions, has constantly added to its force, no less than to its 
extent. And here, we should be chargeable with injustice 
to the memory of ingenuity, industry, and erudition, quite 
unexampled in modern times, were we not to make par- 
ticular mention of Bryant, the learned annalist of " Ancient 
Mythology," whose patience and profoundness of research, 
have thrown such convincing and overpowering light on 
this important inquiry. Nor may we omit his ardent and 
successful disciple, M. Faber, who, in his " Dissertation on 
the Mysteries of the Cabiri," has, in travelling over the 
same ground with his illustrious master, at once corrected 
some of his less important statements, and greatly strength- 
ened his general conclusions. As the basis of their system, 
however, rests on a most extensive etymological examina- 
tion of the names of the deities, and other mythological 
personages, worshipped and celebrated by the heathen, com- 
pared with the various traditions respecting their histories ; 
and, also, the nature of the' rites, and names of the places 



126 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

that were sacred to them ; we cannot perform more, than 
briefly exhibit the result of their investigations; referring 
all intelligent readers, at the same time, for the particular 
details, to the highly original and valuable treatises of those 
scholars. No fact is more incontrovertibly established by 
profane historians, than that of " the flood." Its memory 
is incorporated with almost every part of the Gentile my- 
thology and worship; Noah, under a vast multitude of 
characters, is made one of their first deities, to whom all 
the nations of the heathen world, looked up as their found- 
er;, and to some circumstance or other of whose history, 
and that wf his sons, and the first patriarchs, most, if not 
all, of their religious ceremonies, may be considered as not 
indistinctly referring. Traces of these, neither vague, nor 
involved in the least obscurity, are conceived to be found 
in the history and character, not only of Deucalion, but of 
Atlas, Cronus, or Saturn, Dionusus, Inachus, Janus, Minos, 
Zeus, and many others among the Greeks; of Isis, Osiris, 
Sesostris, Cannes, Typhon. &c, among the Egyptians ; of 
Dagon, Agruerus, Sydyk, &c, among the Phoenicians; of 
Astarte, Derceto, &c, among the Assyrians; of Buddha, 
Tishnu, <&c, among the Hindoos; of Fohi,| and a deity 
represented as "sitting upon the lotus, in the midst of the 
waters," among the Chinese; of Budo, and Jakusi, among 
the Japanese, &c, &c. 

Allusions to the ark itself, are discovered in many of the 
ancient mysteries and traditions with respect to the dove 
and the rainbow; by which several of these allegorical 
personages were attended; which cannot "be explained, ex- 
cept sophistically, unless they are supposed, and fully ad- 
mitted to relate to the fact and history of "the flood." By 
the celebrated agdoas, of the Egyptians, consisting of 
" eight persons" sailing together in the "sawed baris, or 
ark" we see the family of Noah, which was precisely eight 
in number, most precisely designated ; and in the rites of 
Adonis, or Thammuz, in particulai', many circumstances 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 127 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

have been noticed, as presenting a distinct reference to the 
events recorded in the sixth and seventh chapters of Gene- 
sis. With respect to this .source of evidence, we will only 
add, that after every reasonable deduction is made from it, 
which the unreasonable indulgence of fancy, occasionally 
exhibited by writers of a certain class, has rendered neces- 
sary, it still contains so much that isrelevant, and perfectly 
conclusive, that we cannot refrain from expressing our con- 
viction, that it has a solid foundation in truth and fact ; for 
it is scarcely possible to conceive, that a mere hypothesis 
could be supported by evidence so varied, so extensive, and 
in many particulars so demonstrative, as that which is here 
presented. Besides, however, the allusions to " the flood," 
in the mythology and religious ceremonies of the heathen, 
to which we have now briefly adverted, there is a variety 
of traditions, concerning it, still more direct and circum- 
stantial, the coincidence of which, with the narrative of 
Moses, it will require no ordinary degree of sceptical har- 
dihood to deny. These, also, we shall now briefly present, 
beginning with those which are most distant and obscure; 
and then stating those which are more remarkable and cir- 
cumstantially coincident with, and confirmatory of, the Bi- 
ble record. We have been informed by one of the circum- 
navigators of the world, who visited the remote island of 
Otaheite, that some of the inhabitants being asked concern- 
ing their origin, answered, that their supreme God, having, 
a long time ago, been angry, dragged the earth through the 
sea, when their island was broken off, and preserved ! 

In the island of Cuba, only a few years since, the people 
were said to believe that the world was once destroyed by 
water, by three persons, evidently alluding to the three 
sons of Noah. It is even related, that they have a tradi- 
tion among them, that an old man, knowing that a flood 
was approaching, built a large ship, and went into it with 
a great number of animals ; and that he sent out from the 
ship, a crow, which did not immediately come back, stay- 



128 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ing to feed on the carcasses of dead animals; but after- 
wards returned with a green branch in its mouth. The 
author wl^o gives the above account, also affirms, that it 
was reported by the inhabitants of Castella del Oro, in Ter- 
ra Firma, that, during a universal deluge, one man, with 
his children, were the only persons who escaped, by means 
of a canoe ; and that from them, the world was afterwards 
peopled. 

According to the Peruvians, in consequence of a general 
inundation, occasioned by violent and continued rains, 
a universal destruction of the human species, took place, 
a few persons only excepted, who escaped into caves on the 
tops of the mountains, into which they had previously con- 
veyed a stock of provisions, and a number of live animals, 
lest, when the waters should abate, the whole race would 
become extinct. Others affirm that only six persons were 
saved, by means of a float, or raft; and that from them, all 
the inhabitants of the country are descended. They far- 
ther believe, that this event took place before there were 
any Incas or kings among them, and when the country was 
extremely populous. 

The Brazilians not only preserve the traditions of a flood, 
but believe that the whole race of mankind perished in it, 
except one man, and his sister ; or, according to others, two 
brothers, with their wives, who were preserved by climb- 
ing the highest trees on their loftiest mountains ; and who 
afterwards became the heads of two different nations. The 
memory of this event, they are even said to celebrate, in 
some of their religious anthems or songs. 

Acosta, in his history of the Indies, says, that they speak 
of a flood in their country, by which all men were drowned ; 
and that their country was afterwards peopled by Viraca- 
cha, who came out of the lake Titicaca ; and according to 
Herrero, the Mechoacans, a people comparatively in the 
neighborhood of Indian Mexico, had a tradition, that a sin- 
gle family was formerly preserved in an ark, amid a del- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 129 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

uge of waters ; and that along with them, a sufficient num- 
ber of animals was saved, to stock the new world. During 
the time that they were shut up in the ark, several ravens 
were sent out ; one of which, brought back the branch of 
a tree. 

Among the Iroquois, it is* reported, that a certain Spirit, 
called by them Otkon, was the creator of the world ; and 
that another, called Messou, repaired it, after a deluge ; 
which happened in consequence of Otkon's dogs having, 
one day, when he was hunting with them, lost themselves 
in a great lake ; which, in consequence of this, overflowed 
its banks, and in a short time, covered the whole earth. 

Passing now to the Eastern continent, nearer to the re- 
gion where Noah is generally supposed to have lived, we 
find traditionary history respecting the flood, still more par- 
ticular and satisfactory. According to Josephus, there were 
a multitude of ancient authors, who concurred in asserting, 
that the world had once been destroyed by a flood. " This 
flood," says he, " and the ark, are mentioned by all who 
have written Barbaic histories ; one of whom, is Berosns, 
the Chaldean. Speaking of this event, he affirms, that in 
Armenia, upon a mountain of the Corydeans, part of the 
ship was, in his time, even yet remaining. It is a custom 
to scrape from it, some of the bitumen with which it was 
covered, and to carry it about their persons, as a talisman 
against diseases. Jerome, the Egyptian, who wrote the 
ancient history of Phoenicia, and Manaseas, and many 
others, also mention these facts. 

Nieolaus Damascenus relates that there is a great 
mountain in Armenia, situated above Minyas, which is 
called Baris, to which many persons fled, at the time of the 
flood, and were preserved. One, in particular, was con- 
veyed in an ark, to the very summit of the mountain, and 
a considerable part of the vessel, in his time still remained. 
He, we think was very probably! at least, the very man of 

whom the Jewish lawgiver Moses, wrote. 
9 



130 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Eusebius informs us, that Malo, a bitter enemy of the 
Jews, and whose testimony is, on this account, peculiarly- 
valuable, takes notice of the person who was saved, along 
with his sons, from the flood ; having been, after his pres- 
ervation, driven away from Armenia, whence he retired to 
the mountainous parts of Syria. 

Abydenus, after giving an account of the flood, from 
which Xisuthrus, the Chaldean Noah, was saved; concludes 
with asserting, in exact concurrence with Berosus, that the 
ark first rested on the mountains of Armenia ; and that its 
remains were used by the natives as a talisman. And Plu- 
tarch mentions the Noarchic dove, being sent out of the ark, 
and returning to it again, as an intimation to Ducalion, that 
the storm had not yet ceased. But this, however, is by no 
means all the evidence of such a character. Sir William 
Jones, speaking of one of the Chinese fables, says, " Al- 
though I cannot insist, with confidence, that the rainbow, 
mentioned in it, alludes to the Mosaic narrative of the flood, 
nor build any solid argument on the divine person Niu-vs, 
of whose character, and even of whose sex, the historians 
of China, speak very doubtfully; I may, nevertheless, as- 
sure you, after full inquiry and consideration, that the Chi- 
nese fully believe the earth to have been wholly covered 
with water; which, in works of undisputed authority, they 
describe as flowing abundantly, then subsiding, and sepa- 
rating the higher from the lower age of mankind ; that the 
divisions of time, from which their poetical history begins, 
just preceded the appearance of Fo-Hi, in the mountains 
of China; but that the great inundation in the reign of 
Yao, was confined to the low lands of his kingdom. If 
this whole account be not a fable; or if it contains any al- 
lusion to the flood of .Noah, it has been ignorantly misplaced 
by the Chinese analists." [This is the account given by 
Sir William Jones, in his " Asiatic Researches," second 
toI. on the Chinese.] 
The account given by Plutarch, of the Egyptian Osiris, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 131 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

affords some ground for imagining, that he also is the same 
person with the Noah of Moses. He is said to have been 
a husbandman, a legislator, and a zealous advocate for the 
worship of the gods. Typhon, having conspired against 
him, and, by a stratagem, halving prevailed on him to en- 
ter into an ark, which was immediately closed on him; he, 
in this situation, floated down the Nile, into the sea. Now, 
as according to Plutarch, Typhon, is merely a mythological 
personage expressive of the ocean ; this tradition evidently 
signifies nothing more than that the character called Osiris, 
was in danger from the sea ; and that he escaped by entering 
into an ark. Nor is it unworthy of notice, that he is said to 
have entered this vessel, on the seventeenth of the month 
Athyr, which precisely agrees with the day of the patri- 
arch's embarkation, previously to the flood. 

Plato also states, that a priest of Sais, declared to Solon, 
who gave laws to Athens, forty years; that previously to the 
partial flood of Agyges, Deucalion, a universal one had ta- 
ken place, in which the original constitution of the earth had 
undergone a great change; perfectly according, you see, 
with the threatening given by Jehovah, " I will destroy 
the inhabitants, with the earth," — and with the declara- 
tion^ "all the fountains of the great deep, were broken up."* 
It is no doubt true, as Diodorus Siculus asserts, that some 
of the Egyptians maintained that the flood of Deucalion, was 
universal; but this discrepancy must be easily explained by 
every one who has attended to the confusion which frequent- 
ly attends different accounts of the same events, and must be 
deemed utterly insufficient to invalidate the position, that 
the Egyptians generally, did believe in a universal flood. 
A similar belief prevailed among such of the ancient Per- 
sians, as professed to hold their religion in its ancient pu- 

*These "fountains " every scholar must admit, were in the earth ; and in 
all parts of it : breaking them up, therefore, was nothing less than a break- 
ing up, and crushing in, towards the centre of the earth, in wild confusion, 
of all the original strata, of the superincumbant materials, earth, rocks, 
mines, mountains, &c, which contained these fountains; and which origi- 
nally constituted this little globe. 



132 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

rity; though some sects among them, like the Tom Paine 
clubs of the present day, denied it entirely : .whilst others 
maintained that it was only partial. 

Zoroaster, is said to have affirmed, that such a catas- 
trophe was occasioned by the wickedness, and diabolical 
arts of a person called Malchus ; and, according to another 
of their authors, Noah himself, dwelt in a mountain, from 
which the waters of the flood burst forth ; though, by the 
same writer, an absurd tradition is mentioned, of the par- 
ticular place from which they issued. [Persian Hist.] 

Berosus, who lived in the time of Alexander, and wrote 
the history of the Babylonians, relates, that the universal 
flood, happened in the days of king Xisuthrus ; who, like 
Noah, was the tenth, in descent, from the first created man. 
Having in a dream, been warned by Cronus, or Saturn, of 
the approaching calamity, he was commanded to build an 
immense ship, and embark in it, with his wife, his children, 
and his friends ; having first furnished it with provisions, 
and put into it a number both of birds, and four-footed 
animals. As soon as these preparations were completed, the 
flood commenced, and the whole world perished beneath its 
waters. After it began to abate, Xisuthrus, sent forth some 
of the birds, which, finding neither food, nor resting place, 
returned immediately to the ship. In the course of a few 
days, he again let out the birds, but they came back to him 
having their feet covered with mud. The third time, how- 
ever, that he sent them out, they returned no more. Con- 
cluding from this, that the flood was decreasing, and the 
earth again appearing, he made an aperture, in the side of 
the vessel ; and perceived that it was approaching a moun- 
tain, on which it soon after rested ; where he disembarked, 
with his family ; adored the earth ; built an altar ; and sac- 
rificed to the gods. Xisuthrus, having now suddenly dis- 
appeared, his family heard a voice in the air, which informed 
them that the country in which they were, was Armenia, 
and directed them to return to Babylon. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 133 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

Still more coincident, even than this, with the Mosaic 
account, is the Grecian history of the flood, as presented by 
Lucian, a native of Samosatia, on the Euphrates. And his 
authority is the more incontrovertible, on account of his 
being an avowed derider of all religions. The antediluvi- 
ans, according to him, had gradually*become so hardened 
and profligate, as to be in the universal practice of every 
species of injustice. They paid no regard, to the obligation 
of oaths; and were insolent, inhospitable, and unmerciful; 
and for this reason, they were visited with an awful calam- 
ity. Suddenly the earth poured forth a vast quantity of 
water ; and the rain descended in torrents ; the rivers over- 
flowed their banks, and the sea rose to a prodigous height, 
" so that all things became water, and all men were destroy- 
ed, except Deucalion." He alone, for the sake of his pru- 
dence and piety, was reserved to a second generation ; and 
in obedience to a divine monition, he entered, with his sons 
and their wives, into a large ark, which he had built for 
their preservation; and immediately, swine, and horses, 
and lions, and serpents, and all other animals that live on 
the earth, came to him by pairs, and were admitted into the 
ark. There they became perfectly mild and innoxious, their 
natures being changed by the gods; who created such a 
friendship between them, that they all sailed peacably to- 
gether, so long as the waters prevailed over the surface of 
the globe. Lucian further adds, that according to an an- 
cient tradition, at Hierapolis, in Syria, there was once, in 
that country, a great chasm, through which the waters of 
the flood descended; and that Deucalion erected altars, and 
built a temple to Juno, over its mouth. This aperture, 
under the temple, he declares he had seen ; though it was 
then but of small size ; and he relates a ceremony which 
took place twice every year, in memory of this catastrophe. 
Vessels full of water, he says, were brought from the sea, 
not only by the priests, but by the inhabitants, of all Syria, 
and Arabia; often attended also by multitudes from beyond 



134 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the Euphrates! The water thus brought, was poured on 
the floor of the temple, and speedily sunk into the chasm ; 
which small as it was, received without delay, the greatest 
quantity of water. And when they did this, the people 
said, that Deucalion himself, had appointed it, as a memo- 
rial of the flood, and of his own deliverance from it. 

Scarcely less remarkable, is the Hindoo tradition, with 
which we shall conclude the present exhibition of inductive 
testimony, to the reality and universality of the flood. It 
is contained in the ancient poem of Rhagavat; and forms 
the subject of the first Purania, entitled Matsya, or the Fish. 
The following is an abridgment of it; and the identity of 
the event which it describes, with that of the Hebrew his- 
torian ? Moses, is too obvious to require any particular illus- 
tration from us. It runs: " The demon, Hayagriva, having 
purloined the Vedas from the custody of Brahma, while 
he was reposing at the close of the* sixth Manwantara, the 
whole race of men became corrupt, except the seven Ris- 
his, and Satyavrata, who then reigned in Dravira, a mari- 
time region in the south of Carnata. This prince was per- 
forming his ablutions in the river Critamaia, when Vishnu 
appeared to him in the shape of a small fish; and, after 
several augmentations of bulk, in different waters, was 
placed by Satyavrata, in the ocean, where he thus addressed 
his amazed votary : ' In seven days, all creatures who have 
offended me, shall be destroyed by a flood; but thou shalt 
be secured in a capacious vessel, miraculously formed ; 
take, therefore, all kinds of medicinal herbs, and esculent 
grain for food, and together with the seven holy men, their 
respective wives, and pairs of all animals, and enter the ark 
without fear; then shalt thou know God face to face, and 
all thy questions shall be answered.' Saying this, he dis- 
appeared ; and after seven days, the ocean began to over- 
flow the coasts, and the earth to be flooded by constant 
showers ; when Satyavrata, meditating on the Deity, saw 
a large vessel moving on the waters. He entered it, having 



" THINGS NEW AND OLD," 135 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

in all respects conformed to the instructions of Vishnu; 
who, now, in the form of a vast fish, suffered the vessel to 
be tied to a great sea-serpent, as with a cable, to its meas- 
ureless horn. When the flood had ceased, Vishnu slew the 
demon, and recovered the Vedas ; and instructed Satyavra- 
ta in divine knowledge, and appointed him the seventh 
Menu, by the name of Vaivaswata." [History of the Chro- 
rology of the Hindoos.] And, according to the Pauranies, 
and the followers of Buddha, the ark rested on the moun- 
tain of Aryavaria, or India; an appellation which exhibits 
no trifling affinity with the Ararat of scripture. 

We are now amply prepared to remark, in the strain of 
legitimate inference. When we thus meet with traditions 
of a universal flood, in the annals of almost every country, 
though the persons saved from it, are said, in those various 
accounts, to have resided in different districts, widely sepa- 
rated from each other; we are constrained to allow, that 
such a general concurrence of belief, could never have 
originated merely from accident. While the mind is in 
this situation, scripture comes forward; and presents a nar- 
rative, more simple, better connected, and bearing an infi- 
nirely greater resemblance to authentic history, than any 
of those mythological accounts which occur in the tradi- 
tions of Paganism; and this fact immediately and irresista- 
bly, flashes a conviction upon the understanding of all sin- 
cere and intelligent readers, that this must be the true his- 
tory of those remarkable facts, which other nations have 
handed down to us, only through the medium of allegory 
and fable. Yes, in the evidence which we have adduced in 
the preceding reviews, the moral certainty of the Mosaic 
history of the flood, must be admitted, by all logical and 
intelligent minds, to be established on a foundation, which 
the scepticism of the combined depravity of the world, 
must ever assail in vain. Yes, let the ingenuity of unbe- 
lief, first satisfactorily account for this universal agreement 
of the Pagan world; and then she may, indeed, with a 



136 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

greater degree of plausibility, which she perishingly needs, 
attempt to impeach the truth of the scripture account oi 
that awful visitation of a universal flood, by which the 
human race, except Noah and his family, were destroyed. 

But we cannot refrain from asking the reader's attention, 
a few moments longer, to what we will call a brief review 
of geological testimony, in support of that of Moses. 

Many writers have undertaken the task of proving that 
conclusive evidence of the flood, and of a change in the 
original constitution of the earth, is everywhere furnished 
to a Christian geologist, by the appearance of the surface 
of the earth. Immense blocks of stone, of the same quali- 
ties, are found, often at an immense distance from each 
other, both on the surface, and imbedded in the earth ; the 
bones of animals, and the remains of plants, are found 
buried in regions far removed from their original stale; and 
even in solid rock, formed since the flood, both animal and 
vegetable substances abound, proclaiming, loud as thunder, 
the breaking up of the original stratum, and the original 
arrangement of the materials which compose our little 
globe ! We know well, however, that disputes have arisen 
among writers, called philosophers, and Christians, too, 
respecting the reference of these appearances, to the flood; 
and that therefore 

"They have often strained themselves to bursting, nigh," 

in attempting to prove, that all these things may be ac- 
counted for by natural causes. However, we are only de- 
sirous, on this occasion, ,to call the attention of such of our 
readers as are scientifically and geologically engaged and 
inclined, by presenting, in a very brief manner, the opinions 
of some few of those who are worthy cf notice, and who 
have written in this. wide and interesting field of inquiry. 
One writer [M. De SaussureJ informs us, that while he 
was examining the Alps of Switzerland, he was forcibly 
struck by the appearance of blocks of granite, which had 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 137 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

evidently belonged to the central ridge; yet, now, lying 
there, scattered on the surrounding mountains, and on the 
neighboring valleys ! To remove these blocks from their 
parent rock, (poor-blind philosopher ! ) and to transport 
them across deep and wide ravines, and over the summits 
of lofty intervening mountains, seemed to him to require 
an agent of no created power. And the transportation of 
these blocks, Saussure had the folly to ascribe to a vast 
torrent, which he imagined had, at a very remote period, 
swept the earth, overtopping the Alps, and carrying im- 
mense masses of the rocks along with it ! To this supposed 
torrent, he applies the term debacle, a French word, which 
is sometimes made use of, to denote the clearing of a har- 
bor, by setting at liberty a large collection of water, to 
sweep away the alluvial matter obstructing it. Our Eng- 
lish word, deluge, -here, in our definition of it, we consider 
more happily adapted to express the extent and power of 
such a torrent as would be necessary to produce such ef- 
fects as he describes. But, another writer admits the de- 
bacle of Saussure, yet he ascribes the position of the blocks 
of granite, to a cause which could have found a place only 
in the most frivalous and fantastic imagination ; and which, 
therefore, we will not present in our review. Yet, we will 
add, neither of these philosophers appears to have digested 
his ideas of a deluge, so perfectly, as to have warranted 
his entering upon any attempt to explain its cause, or even 
affording any precise idea of their notions respecting the 
operations of their imagined agent, when actually exercised. 
One writer, [Pallas] ascribes the production of the flood, 
which he supposes transported the remains of animals from 
one climate to another, to the action of volcanoes under the 
sea. These speculations remained unnoticed for a consid- 
erable time; at length, however, the subject was brought 
before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, [by Sir James Hall] 
in a form more happily calculated to command attention. 
That gentleman however, for many years employed him- 



138 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

self, in tracing what he conceived to be the legitimate effects 
of a powerful torrent, which at some period or other has 
swept across Scotland, from West to East. He however, 
confined his attention and researches to the vicinity of Ed- 
inburgh ; and accurately pointed out various places, where 
scratches and furrows on the top of the rock are still to be 
seen ; and which those who have examined them, consider 
interesting topics of inquiry. And these effects were as- 
cribed, by Sir William Jones, himself, to the attrition of the 
rocks carried along by some partial flood. And whoever 
examines the deep mass of gravel, sand, stones and clay, 
which, in almost every part and portion of country, covers 
the surface of the rock beneath, must acknowledge imme- 
diately, that this superincumbent mass was at some period 
deposited by water. But still, with respect to the manner in 
which the water operated, widely different opinions have 
been entertained. This subject, only fifty years since, 
however, did not seem to be of primary importance to phys- 
iologists of many of the schools in either Great Britain or 
Europe. The followers of Mr. Hutton, who wrote upon it 
in a somewhat interesting, but by no means, satisfactory 
manner, have been of very different opinions ; and while 
some of them assert, that the ordinary diurnal operations 
of the atmosphere, and the action of rivers, are sufficient 
to account for all that has been observed ; others of a little 
more plain, common sense philosophy, graciously beg leave 
to maintain that something more was required. One writer 
[Sir J. Hall] appeals to the efforts of subterraneous heat, 
acting under compression, as supposed by Dr. Hatter, and 
endeavors to illustrate the mode in which he imagines a 
wave or torrent of water of sufficient magnitude to have 
been produced, to have accomplished all these things. We 
believe it to be now generally admitted, that concussions of 
the earth, are produced by the exertion of an electric and 
elastic fluid bursting the rocks which confined it. Sir J. 
Hall, supposes that such an exertion, by heaving up the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 139 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

superincumbent mass, and displacing a body of water, 
which would be also impelled upwards by the concussion, 
would doubtless produce a wave on the surface of the sea. 
An earthquake, felt on the coast, every one knows, who 
has witnessed it, is first attended by a retreating of the 
water from the shore : an effect which has been readily 
accounted for, by the rising of the wave in the sea, imme- 
diately above the place where the subterranean force ex- 
erted itself. After such a retreat from the shore, the water 
returns with great violence, and overwhelms everything in 
its progress. Such effects have been illustrated and estab- 
lished as facts, during the earthquakes at Cadis, Lisbon, 
Calao, &c, &c. But the most remarkable, and which ap- 
plies most perfectly in illustration of the foregoing ideas, is 
that related by Humbolt, of a large tract of ground, ex- 
tending to three or four square miles, called the Malpays, in 
South America, having been raised during an earthquake, 
to the height of five hundred and twenty-four feet. Now, 
such an occurrence might have happened at the bottom of 
the sea, and there can be no doubt but similar consequences 
would have followed. Experiment has been resorted to 
by some, and by exploding gunpowder under water, they 
have succeeded to produce, in minature, precisely the 
same effects which we might suppose would follow the 
concussion of an earthquake in the sea. Having thus 
attempted to explain the operation by whjch such a vast 
wave, or torrent, sufficient to overtop the mountains, 
might be raised. Sir James called in the aid of glaciers, to 
assist in transporting large masses of stone from one place 
to another. It is well known, that the glaciers of the Alps, 
and the icebergs formed every winter at the mouths of our 
large northward rivers and bays, envelope immense collec- 
tions of stones or rocks. It is supposed that if a torrent, 
like the one under consideration, were to break it up, the 
ice would of course float furiously along with its load, and 
deposite it gradually, as it advanced and melted. There 



140 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

are enormous blocks of granite on the shores of the Baltic, 
and along the shores of the Atlantic, in the northern parts 
of our own country, which it is, by some, most unwisely, 
supposed are to be accounted for only in this way, as well 
as those of the Alps in Switzerland. 

We of course, shall not inquire into the hydrostatical 
accuracy of this theory, with reference here to the general 
deluge; it is not our appropriate province; but we will 
state, as a matter of speculative entertainment, that an op- 
eration, the very reverse of this, would produce a wave, 
or torrent, without any deviation from the laws of hydro- 
statics ; and account for all the appearances observed in 
earthquakes by our wise philosophers. Instead of the land 
rising, we may suppose it to burst, and lay open extensive 
hollows, into which, of course, the water would rush with 
irresistible violence, filling up the vacuum occasioned by 
the escape or condensation of the elastic vapors which 
caused the fracture. Powerful currents would instantly 
be produced, and all tending to a centre; and the velocity 
acquired would be such, that after the vacuity was filled, 
the conjunction and collision of so many currents at one 
point, must raise the water to an appalling height ! There- 
fore, we see, the retreat of water from the shore might be 
explained as well in this way, as by supposing the bottom 
of the sea to have been raised. The heaving of a mass of 
land entirely out of the sea, or its sudden submersion, 
would also produce great agitation in the water ; and in 
every case the operation of subterranean heat, in producing 
elastic vapor, would be retained. Professor Playfair, the 
able illustrator of the Huttonian theory, differs widely from 
all those who are disposed to call in the aid of extraordina- 
ry causes and effects, to account for the enormous collec- 
tions of loose heterogeneous materials, which for the most 
Dart, form the surface of the land. 

At the time when Mr. Playfair wrote, however, the sub- 
ject had not been fully stated by any of those writers who 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 141 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

attribute these mysterious appearances to a partial flood ; 
and he acknowledges that he, had been combating an un- 
seen enemy. But, Sir J. Hali, has since stated one side of 
the question; yet he has not by any means exhausted the 
facts and arguments, which tend to corroborate the opinion, 
that a universal deluge, has since the creation, changed the 
entire face and original subterranian structure of this globe, 
and caused that arrangement of its surface which we now 
observe. But he has done much better than some of our 
Professors upon this subject, or any other of the geological 
writers, of the dubious Christian character, who have given 
us their views of the subject. There are many regions of 
country, to which we, ourselves, can point, which furnish 
facts, which quite as strongly support the doctrine advo- 
cated by us, as those which we have given ; but our time 
is exhausted, and such an effort would be unnecessary to 
produce the conviction of such a fact in the minds of in- 
telligent readers. 

But John Pye Smith, D. D., London, tutor in the Protest- 
ant Dissenting College at Homerton, an apologist for mod- 
ern Geological science, falsely so called ; and, for that thing, 
called " philosophy" which is nought but vain deceit; has 
recently published a book, which he has named " Scripture 
and Geology;" and which, without controversy, as he 
seems to profess to be a christian believer, is one of the 
most rampant of the humbugs of modern times. In soph- 
istry, he must be admitted to have almost equalled the skill 
of Jefferson or Calhoun ; and in absurdity, surpassed them 
both. Without the least apparent reluctance, he, by his 
spurious exegesis, and rules of interpretation, compels the 
earth, to testify against the whole viritlen Word, of her 
Creator ; concerning the origin of time — the period occu- 
pied in the formation of this visible world — the extent of 
the deluge, &c, &c. ; and yet, assures his readers, that all 
such testimony is most easily reconcileable, with the testi- 
mony of God, as given by his servant Moses ! ! ! Pro Pu- 



142 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

det ! Pudet ! ! ! We are sober, reader, — we give you the 
precise language of this, as we call him, in our view, Infi- 
del harlequin. It runneth flippantly enough, indeed : "I 
have now reached the point at which, from the beginning 
of these lectures, I have been aiming. I speak my own 
conviction, and I trust I have brought forward sufficient 
evidence to support that conviction, that the alleged dis- 
crepance between the Holy Scriptures, and the discoveries 
of scientific investigation, [meaning the discoveries of mod- 
ern infidel geologists,] is not in reality ; but in semblance 
only: in particular, that the Scriptures fairly interpreted, 
are not adverse to a belief in an immeasurably high an- 
tiquity of the earth ; — in the reference of the ' six days' 
work/ to a part only, of the earth's surface; — in the posi- 
tion of there being several centuries of creation, distinct 
from each other, on the surface of the globe ; — in the reign 
of death over the inferior animals, from Ihe earliest exist- 
ence of organized earthly beings; — and in a limited extent 
of the deluge, which swept away the remnant of a self- 
destroying race, saving one family ! ! ! " 

That a professed Christian, of any tolerable share of in- 
telligence, should be left to express himself with such ap- 
parent exultation, on the subject before us, is passing all 
the "wonderfuls" of even Don Quixotism! He again 
says, in his preface : 

" It involves no disrespect to the multitude of pious and 
respectable persons, to say, that they cannot form an inde- 
pendent opinion upon many subjects in natural philosophy. 
It is no dishonor to accept the conclusions of Newton, and 
his followers, though we confess ourselves unable to read 
the Principia." We add, from this extraordinary Christian 
tutor, (and we have long known his huge report as a critic,) 
only one more of his long-eared lucubrations. It runneth 
thus : " I cannot imagine any motive but the excellent one 
of veneration for the Bible, that can induce a pious mind 
to feel satisfied with the idea, which attributes to the first 



J^^v 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 145 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

exercise of creating power, a date so recent as six or seven 
thousand years ago." Very likely, Dr. Pye — this is in 
good keeping with all thy other notions. Good bye, sir ! 
If it be worth saving, the Lord have mercy on thy soul ! 
Amen. 



SERMON VII. 

JI THESSALONIANS, II — 3. 

And that Man of Sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition. 

Reader: Though it be our principal object, in the ensuing 
discourse, to give a faithful exhibition of the character, 
works, and destiny of the " Man of Sin," so named by the 
Holy Ghost; and though we might proceed and execute 
our object, on the authority of the single clause which we 
have selected for our text ; yet, from certain other relative 
considerations, we deem it proper and highly important, 
here to introduce the whole passage, with which it pleased 
the Holy Ghost to connect it, commencing with the first 
verse of the chapter in which it is contained. 

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither 
by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us ; as that the 
Day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any 
means : for that day shall not come, except there come a fall- 
ing away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of 
perdition : Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all 
that is called God, or that is worshipped ; so that he as God, 
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God, 
Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you I told you 
these things? And now ye know what withholdeth, that he 
might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity 
10 



146 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

doth already work: only he who now letteth, will let, until 
he, be taken out of the way. 

"And then shall that Wicked, be revealed, whom the 
Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall 
destroy with the brightness of his coming : even him, whose 
coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and 
signs, and lying wonders ; and with all deceivableness of 
unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received 
not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And 
for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that 
they should believe a lie j that they all might be damned, 
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighte- 
ousness." 

At such a time as the present, when efforts are making 
in almost every section of our country, by professed Catho- 
lics, and by some misguided high churchmen, in the Epis- 
copal Church ; to disseminate through their Oxford tracts, 
and through other mediums, the principles of the Roman 
Church, which is the thing called in our text, " The Man 
of Sin" to decry and misrepresent that blessed Reforma- 
tion of the sixteenth century, which first scattered light and 
liberty throughout Europe; and which is the grand source, 
under God, of all the varied blessings and privileges which 
Protestants enjoy, in any region of the globe. Yes! When 
an association of Churchmen in Great Britain, are diffusing 
the above mentioned tracts, &c, in every direction — and 
when it is manifest that this association receives the coun- 
tenance and aid of many of the leading characters of the 
New School party, and of some of the dignitaries of the 
American Episcopal Church ; though we are happy to find 
it discountenanced by others ; it is certainly high time for 
the true friends of the Protestant Reformation, friends of 
the Bible — of its doctrines — its influence, and its univer- 
sal circulation, — to take Bible measures to counteract the 
baneful errors, the pernicious effects, and demoralizing con- 
sequences of a false, a tyrannical, and diabolical power. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 147 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

But here, let no one, say we are dealing" unfairly, in the 
plan we have adopted, to reveal the character, works, and 
destiny, of the "Man of Sin." Our blessed Saviour, him- 
self, has ruled, with direct reference too, to this very power ; 
" By their fruits ye shall know them." These " fruits" are 
furnished and shown by history. And God, himself, can- 
not make that, not to be, which has been] and is already, a 
part of the record of his providence. 

Indeed, in a country so enlightened as Great Britain, 
where the press is so free, and discussion so unrestrained, 
is it not wonderful, that men should be found there, who 
readily countenance a system of imposture — a system, as 
we shall see, revolting to common sense, and the plainest 
principles of the sacred Scriptures ? Is it not, we solemnly 
ask, most astonishing, that men of any pretensions to learn- 
ing and intelligence, to say nothing of Christians in both 
Britain and America, should stand forth, at this day, and 
advocate a system of form, parade; of mere external pomp; 
instead of that contained in the Bible, which tends to purify 
the affections, to enlighten the understanding, to make men 
better citizens, better fathers, better husbands, better wives, 
better children, and better servants? In a word, a system 
which expands the heart with benevolence, and which in- 
duces us to consecrate our time, talents, influence, and 
property, to the glory of God, and the good of our fellow 
mortals'? Yes, it is wonderful, that such men should be 
found, who, through a strange obliquity of mind, mani- 
festly under the influence of the prince of darkness, decry- 
ing the Protestant reformation ; setting themselves, at once, 
against its pure and sound principles, and taking an open, 
unblushing stand in favor of the exploded' and soul-de- 
stroying, God-accursed principles of Popery? This, as- 
suredly, is a most marvelous fact, for Christians to contem- 
plate, who live in the nineteenth century. It baffles all the 
calculations of common sense and enlightened reason ! ! ! 
For what has been the opinion of the public in Great B ritain, 



148 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

with respect to the character of this Man of Sin and Son of 
Perdition? In order to ascertain the state of public opinion 
there, respecting this matter of the dangerous influence of 
the church of Rome, it is only necessary for us to revert, 
at our leisure, to the many excellent works which her 
best writers have given us, on this awful subject. Since 
the revolution of 1688, the British Protestant clergy, from 
the highest to the lowest, until recently, have been all ar- 
dent friends and advocates of the reformation and its prin- 
ciples. 

But leaving these topics, we proceed to exhibit the char- 
acter, works, and destiny of the Man of Sin, as drawn by 
the Holy Ghost, and illustrated by history; and in the first 
place, we inquire, does not most credible and authentic his- 
tory inform us, that there now exists, and has existed dur- 
ing all preceding ages, from the days of Abel, as declared 
by the Lord Jesus, a tyranical, idolatrous, and blasphe- 
mous power, in pretense, Christian, but, in reality, anti- 
Christian? This, no Christian scholar will deny. And 
this is the very power, according to the testimony of the 
Holy Ghost, which is portrayed in the little horn and the 
blasphemous king, by the phrophet Daniel; — in the man 
of sin — the son of perdition, by Paul; and, in the ten 
horned beast, or the false prophet, by John. We have, 
therefore, now found our u Man." 

Does not most credible and authentic history, inform us, 
that the church, professed believers, have often apostatized, 
or departed greatly from the purity of Christian faith and 
worship ? This is the same thing which the Holy Ghost 
declares, through the Apostle, in II Thessa. ii. 3: "The 
day of the Lord, shall not come, except there come a fal- 
ling away, or an apostacy, first." And he saith, moreo- 
ver, in another place, (I Tim. iv. 1,) that thespirit of 
prophecy (meaning Daniel) had, in express words, testi- 
fied the same thing before. Now, the spirit saith, express- 
ly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 149 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

faith, or rather apostatize from the faith. And John, il- 
luminated by the Holy Ghost, foresaw the church so far 
degenerated, as to become (Rev. xvii. 5) the mother of 
harlots, or whoredoms, and abominations of the earth. 

Does not most credible and authentic history inform us, 
that this apostacy consists chiefly in the worshipping of 
demons, angels, and departed saints, and in honoring them 
with costly shrines, and rich offerings ; instead of the wor- 
ship of the one true God, through the one true Mediator 
between God and man — the man Christ Jesus? Now 
nothing can better correspond to, and agree with, the dec- 
laration of Paul; (I Tim. iv. 1) he says, some shall apos- 
tatize from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and 
doctrines concerning devils; and it agrees equally with the 
prophecy of Daniel, (xi. 38) that the blasphemous king, in 
his estate, shall honor Mahuzzim — a word denoting God's 
protectors, or saints' protectors — and a God whom his fa- 
thers knew not, shall he honor with gold, and silver, and 
with precious stones, and pleasant things. 

Does not history show, that the same church, which is 
guilty of this idolatry, is notorious, also, for enjoining celi- 
bacy to her clergy ? and engaging her nuns to enter into 
vows of leading a single life? And that she makes a vain 
distinction of meats; and that she commands and institutes 
without any warrant from the word of God, certain times 
and days of fasting, and penance, wherein to take flesh, 
is judged to be a mortal sin? Here, again, nothing could 
more fully accomplish the prediction of Daniel, (xi. 37,) 
that the blasphemous king, who shall worship Mahuzzim, 
shall also not regard the desire of wives : and the predic- 
tion of Paul, (I Tim. iv. 3.) that those who shall aposta- 
tize from the faith, by the worshipping of demons, shall no 
less distinguish themselves by forbidding to marry; and 
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath cre- 
ated to be received with thanksgiving of all them who be- 
lieve and know the truth. 



150 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Does not history show, that the Pope makes himself 
equal and even superior, to God, by affecting Divine titles, 
attributes, and honors ; and that he assumes a power of 
dispensing with the immutable laws of nature and the Gos- 
pel, in substituting for the commandments of God, the tra- 
ditions of men? That he tramples the altar of God, at 
his inauguration, and makes even the table of the im- 
maculate God, his footstool ; and, in that posture, receives 
the adoration of his brutish cardinals? You know, also, this 
is foretold by Daniel, (vii. 25,) that the little horn shall speak 
great words against the Most High, and think to change 
times and laws. [He now thinks to do this in our coun- 
try !] And again Daniel says, this little horned king 
shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt him- 
self, and magnify himself above every god, and speak 
marvellous things against the God of gods; and in like 
manner, it illustrates the language of Paul, (II Thes. ii. 3 
— 4,) that man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdi- 
tion; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is 
called God, or that is worshipped ; so that he, as God, sit- 
teth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God ! 

Again, does not history show, that the bishops of Rome 
have extended their authority and jurisdiction over several 
countries and nations ; that they have usurped a supremacy 
over all other bishops? that they have, partly by menaces, 
and partly by flatteries, often obtained an entire ascendency 
over Christian princes; so as to make them zealous mem- 
bers of their communion — blindly devoted to their interest 
■■ — and ready afterwards on all occasions, to fight their bat- 
tles? Listen American Christians, and beware ! For all 
this, was nothing more than was foretold by the Prophets, 
and particularly by Daniel, when he said (vii. 20,) that the 
little horn, had a mouth speaking very great things; and a 
look more stout than his fellows — and also by John, when 
he sard, (Rev. xiii. 7,) that power was given unto the 
beast, over all kindreds and tongues and nations — and in 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 151 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

(xvii. 2.) the kings of the earth have committed fornication, 
or idolatry, with the whore of Babylon — and in. (xvii. 13,) 
have one mind, and shall give their power and strength 
unto the beast!!! When Ave read, we tremble at the 
prospect. 

Doth not history show, that the Hierarchy of Rome, has 
often, enlarged the powers of her clergy, both regular and 
secular? That she often has given them an almost abso- 
lute authority over the purses and consciences of men — 
that she has enriched them with the most sumptuous palaces 
and noble endowments; and appropriated the choicest of 
the lands to themselves? This was plainly intimated by 
Daniel, speaking of the blasphemous king, (xi. 39,) thus 
shall he do — to the defenders of Mahuzzim, together with 
the strange god, whom he shall acknowledge, he shall mul- 
tiply honor ; and he shall cause them to rule over many, 
and shall divide the land for gain. 

Doth not history show, that the Church of Rome is dis- 
tinguished above all congregations called churches, for pur- 
ple and scarlet color; by the richness and splendor of her 
vestments — by the pomp and parade of her ceremonies! 
that she entices and enveighels men, women and children, 
with all artifices of ornament and ostentation, to join in 
her communion? This was definitely specified by John, 
speaking of the mystic whore of Babylon, or the corrupted 
church ; (xvii. 4,) and the woman was arrayed in purple 
and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious 
stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of 
abominations and filthiness of her fornications!!! 

Doth not history show, that the Hierachy of Rome, 
in all ages, have been remarkable for their policy; that 
they have not scrupled to promote their religion by all 
manner of lies, and what they call, pious frauds; that they 
have allowed and taught, by precept and example, of men- 
tal reservation and equivocation even in solemn oaths and 
promises? and all this while, assumed the appearance of 



152 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

lambs, in meekness, and sanctity; while they acted like rav- 
ening wolves, with violence and fury? Daniel gives these 
characteristics, in the little horn, (vii. 8.) Behold, in thb 
horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man; and a mouth speak- 
ing great things — and Paul also, does the same, of these 
apostates in latter times, (I.Tim, iv. 2,) he says, speaking 
lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared, as with a 
hot iron: and John, under the. image of the two horned 
beast, (xiii. 11,) And I beheld another beast coming up out 
of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb : but he 
spake as a dragon ! ! ! 

Doth not history show that the church of Rome boasts of 
visions and revelations, and makes a show of miracles, to 
beguile the people? Do not her legends already, contain 
an account of more spurious, and pretended wonders, in at- 
testation of her dogmas, than the scriptures do of genuine 
and real? With respect to this — from Paul we learn, 
(II. Thes. ii. 9, 10,) that the coming, of the Man of Sin, is 
after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and 
lying wonders ; and with all deceivableness of unrighteous- 
ness ! ! and from John (xiii. 13, 14,) that the false prophet 
doeth great wonders in the sight of men; and deceiveth 
them who dwell on the earth, by the means of those mira- 
cles which he hath power to do. 

Doth not history show, that the church of Rome requires 
an implicit and most abject obedience ; doth she not con- 
demn all who will not readily conform, as heretics; and 
excomunicate, and exclude them from the civil intercourses 
and business of life? So the false prophet, in John, (xiii. 
16, 17,) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, 
bond and free, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in 
their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save 
he that had the mark of the beast ! ! ! 

Again, does not history show, that the Roman Pontiffs 
have already occasioned the shedding of as much, and 
more blood, in the opinion of the ablest historians, than 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 153 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

has been shed in all the wars of the Roman Emperors? 
That they have all along, maintained their spiritual sover- 
eignty by secret plots and inquisitions! by open dragoon- 
ings and massacres; that they have imprisoned, and tor- 
tured, and murdered, to the extent of their power, the true 
worshippers of God, and the faithful servants of Jesus 
Christ? In this respect, as well as all the preceding, the 
predictions of the prophets exactly and distinctly answer. 
For it is affirmed of the little horn, in Daniel, (vii. 21, 25,) 
that he shall make war with the saints, and shall prevail 
against them; — and shall speak great words against the 
Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most 
High! — And the woman in the Revelation, Babylon the 
great, the mother of harlots, (xvii. 6,) is represented as 
drunken, with the blood of the saints, and with the blood 
of the martyrs of Jesus; and (xviii. 24,) in her was found 
the blood of prophets and, of saints; and of all, that is true 
believers, who are slain upon the earth! corresponding 
perfectly, with a charge direct of our Saviour, in the twenty- 
third chapter of Matthew, 31st verse. Wherefore ye be 
witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them 
who killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of 
your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation, (or more prop- 
erly rendered race) of vipers ! how can ye escape the dam- 
nation of hell? the strongest mode of language ever adopt- 
ed by God himself, to denote the certainty of the event 
predicted. It was telling them to their faces, nothing less, 
than — " Ye (that is, you, and all your race) cannot escape 
the damnation of hell/" And the reasons are given — 
"Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, (he had 
done it in all preceding time, and promises here, to do it in 
time to come) and wise men, and scribes : and some of 
them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them ye shall 
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city 
to city: (to prepare yourselves for it) that upon you, (that 
is, your diabolical murderous race) may come all the righte- 



154 "THINGS NEW .AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ous blood (that is, the charge, and guilt, and punishment, 
of all the murders of believers) shed upon the earth, from 
the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, 
son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and 
the altar. Verily, I say unto you, all these things shall 
come upon this generation, or as it ought to be rendered, on 
this tyrannical, and murderous race. There is no salvation 
for it ! . 

But, besides these plain and direct prophesies of the cor- 
ruptions and frightful innovations of the Romish church, 
and these illustrations furnished by history, there are many 
glances at them, which, though somewhat less glaring and 
withering, are, nevertheless, absolute intendments and pic- 
tures of her deformity. Known unto God, are all his works, 
from the beginning of the world ; (Acts xv. 18.) And 
when the Holy Ghost dictated to the ancient prophets, the 
prophesies concerning Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, and other 
tyrannical and corrupt governments, he dictated them in 
such a manner, as to evince, distinctly, that he had a far- 
ther and more emphatic view to the character of this pow- 
er, in corning time; when it would become more outrageous 
and diabolical, than it ever had been in those primitive 
times. And hence, we perceive, that the character of this 
power, as shown in Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, and the others 
referred to. are made the types and emblems of present 
Rome. And many of the particulars predicted concerning 
the former, are evidently more fully and completely applica- 
ble to the latter, the Popish government of Rome. Accord- 
ingly, John, you know, has thus applied them. Jere- 
miah said, concerning ancient Babylon, (Jeremiah vii. 45,) 
"Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, 
which made all the earth drunken ; the nations have 
drunken of her wine; therefore, the nations are mad ! My 
people, go ye out of the midst of her; and deliver ye every 
man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord!" But 
how much more applicable are these expressions, as John 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 155 



hath applied them, to her present character, as mystic Baby- 
lon, or Rome ! Saith the Holy Ghost, Rev. xvii. 4., xviii. 3 
4, "She hath a golden cup in her hand, full of abomi- 
nations ! All nations, have drunk of the poisonous wine of 
her fornication ! Come out of her, my people, that ye be 
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her 
plagues ! ! ! " 

The prophets themselves might not have fully understood 
this matter, when God ordered them to speak thus; and 
perhaps saw no farther than the literal meaning. Hut this 
idea, gives their language the greater force; as on this sup- 
position it came directly from the Omnic lent God! Yes, 
they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, (II Pe- 
ter, i. 21,) who comprehends all events, the most remote 
and involved, as well as the most immediate and conspic- 
uous. 

But, in another view, the exhibitions of Popery, which 
we particularly mean, are more frequent, and more obvi- 
ous in the New Testament. In proof of this, we ask, why 
was the ever blessed and Omnicient Saviour, so very cau- 
tious in giving honor to the Virgin Mary, that he seemed 
to regard her less than the least of his real disciples? 
(Matt. xii. 48,) Who is my mother? (John ii. 4,) Woman, 
what have I to do with thee? (Luke xi. 27, 28,) Blessed 
is the womb that bare thee; and the paps that thou hast 
sucked — Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word 
of God, and keep it. Why did he rebuke Peter, more se- 
verely, than any other of the apostles, (Matt. xvi. 23,) Get 
thee behind me satan; thou art an offence unto me; for 
thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that 
be of men; and this, especially, just after giving him that 
high encomium, (ver. 18.) Thou art Peter, and upon this 
rock I will build my Church? We must admit that he 
spake and acted thus, as then foreseeing that divine wor- 
ship which would idolatrously be paid to the one — and 
that supremacy that would be tyrannically arrogated to the 



156 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

other ; and which that very encomium, would, impertinent- 
ly, be brought to countenance? And again, how came it 
to pass, that our Saviour, in instituting his Holy Supper, 
(Matt, xxvi. 26, 27,) said* of the bread, only "take, eat"— 
but of the cup more particularly, " drink ye all of it." 
We must suppose, that it was designed to prevent, or obvi- 
ate their foul sacrilege, who will allow all, indeed to eat of 
the bread, but priests, only, to drink of the cup ? 

Why were the vices of the chief priests, scribes, Phari- 
sees and elders, left so particularly upon record, if not 
chiefly for the warning and rebuke of their natural issue 
and descendants, the clergy and Popes, of the Church of 
Rome? Attentively read the whole twenty-third chapter 
of Matthew, and you will find, that there is not a single wo 
denounced against the former, but which as properly be- 
longs, and is as strictly applicable to the latter — " Binding 
heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and laying them 
oilmen's shoulders; doing all their works to be seen of 
men — shutting up the kingdom of heaven against men — 
neither going in themselves, nor suffering them who are 
'entering to go in — devouring widows' houses, and for a 
pretense, making long prayers; compassing sea and land 
to make one proselyte, and when he is made, making him 
two-fold more the child of hell, than themselves. 

He charged them with making useless and frivolous dis- 
tinctions of oaths; as they taught that you may harmlessly 
swear by this and that; — that they observed trifling du- 
ties with mighty hypocritical positiveness, but omitted all 
the weighty matters of the law, such as judgment, mercy, 
and faith ; — that they made clean the outside of the cup 
and platter, but within, they were full of extortion and ex- 
cess; — that they labored, outwardly, to appear righteous 
unto men; but were, within, full of hypocrisy and iniqui- 
ty; — that they made a great show in building the tombs 
of the prophets, and garnishing the sepulchres of the 
righteo s, thus infamously hypocritical, honoring the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 157 

TO DIVEKSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

dead saints, but at the same time were persecuting the liv- 
ing, to the extent of their diabolical power. Yes, all these 
traits of character, and charges, are admitted, by all learned 
and orthodox readers, the world over, to be as clear and 
strong marks and characteristics of the conduct of the clergy 
and the Popes of the church of Rome, now; as they were 
of the Scribes and Pharisees, to whom they were first di- 
rected and applied. 

Do not forbidding implicit faith and obedience to men, 
(Math, xxiii. 9,) " Call no man your father upon the earth, 
for one is your father, who is in heaven; " — forbidding the 
worship of angels; (Coll. xi. 18.) Let no man beguile you 
of your reward, in a voluntary humility and worshipping 
of angels; forbidding all pretenses to works of merit and 
supererogation ; (Luke xvii. 10,) When ye shall have done 
all these things which are commanded you, say, we are 
unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our 
duty to do; forbidding the clergy to lord it over God's her- 
itage; (I Peter, iv. 3,) Neither as being lords over God's 
heritage; but being ensamples of the flock; prohibiting the 
service of God being performed in an unknown tongue; 
and this, Paul has forbidden, in a formal manner, in the 
fourteenth chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians. 
Yes, I ask, do not all these, and all such like Bible prohibi- 
tions, necessarily presuppose, and definitely represent, that 
in the progress of time, in gospel days, these particular and 
shocking errors and blasphemous abuses, would be exhibited 
by a community falsely calling itself Christian ? And we all 
know, that the only community on earth, by which they have 
been, and now are, publicly and shamelessly taught, and 
practiced, is that of the ■" Man of Sin," or church of Rome. 
And this tyrannical, murderous, and blasphemous, horned 
beast, Man of Sin, or "Babylon the Great," is according to 
the sure "word of prophesy," to continue, and wax worse 
and worse; being "given over to strong delusions, to believe 
a lie;" until the Day of Christ, the millenium, or the prom- 



158 "THING S NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ised reign of righteousness and peace, throughout the world, 
shall commence. For, saith the Holy Ghost, through our 
infallible apostle, with direct and special reference to this 
glorious event, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering to- 
gether unto him; that ye be not soon shaken in mind, nor 
be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by (fraudu- 
lent) letter, as from us; that the Day of Christ, is at hand.' 7 
This has no reference, whatever, to the end of time, but to 
the legitimate effects of preaching the gospel to the Cen- 
tiles, and the rejected Jews — who are then to be recovered 
to the faith and priviliges of God's dear children. Blind- 
ness, in part, has happened unto Israel — they have been 
cut off for their unbelief from the olive tree. Age has fol- 
lowed age, and they remain to this hour, spread over the 
face of the earth, a fearful and affecting testimony to the 
truth of the Word of God. They are without their sanct- 
uary — without their Messiah — without the hope of their 
believing ancestors ! But it shall not be always thus. 
They are still beloved, for the Father's sake. When the 
fullness of the Gentiles shall come in, they too, shall be gath- 
ered. Tney shall discover in our Jesus, the marks of the 
promised Messiah; and now with tenderness proportioned 
to their former insensibility, they shall cling to his cross ! 
Grafted again into their olive tree, all Israel shall be saved. 
It was through their fall, that salvation come unto us, Gen- 
tiles. And, if the casting away of them be the reconciling 
of the world ; what shall the receiving of them be, but life 
from the dead ? Then, when the Gentile and the Jew, 
shall be seen taking sweet counsel together, and going to 
the house of God in company; and the path of the swift 
and Almighty messenger of grace, marked in every direc- 
tion, with the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of peace ; 
the children of Zion, heard exclaiming, the place is too 
straight for me ; give room to me, that I may dwell ; then, 
yes, then, and not till then, will be the public overthrow, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 159 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

and perdition, of the "man of sin, or Babylon the great ! " 
The knowledge of Jehovah, will be seen overspreading the 
earth, and all flesh enjoying the salvation of God, during 
the premised "thousand prophetic years." 

Let no man (none of the like of our new school, filthy, 
"second personal advent dreamers,") deceive you, by any 
means; for " that day shall not come, except there come a 
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son 
of perdition." For he, "the mistery of iniquity, doth al- 
ready work — [has always, since the murder of Abel, been 
at work,] — only he who now letteth, will let, until he be 
taken out of the way ; and then shall this Wicked be re- 
vealed;" — [that is, signally, and publicly, and judicially, 
exposed.] For, " the Lord," meaning Christ, "shall con- 
sume him, with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy 
him "with the brightness of His coming;" that is by the 
effectual preaching of his Gospel, attended every whereby 
the power of the Holy Ghost. Yes, then, and not till then, 
shall this great enemy of the purity and peace, and bles- 
sedness of believers, or the true church or congregation of 
the Lord, in all preceding time, who has shed the blood of 
the saints and the prophets, and exalted himself above all 
that is called God, appear in the whole horror of his doom, 
as the "son of perdition." The'terrible, but ineffably joyous 
event, shall be announced by an angel from heaven, crying 
mightily, with a strong voice, Babylon the great, is fallen, 
is fallen ! Alleluia ! shall be the response over its tomb ! 
The church militant, and triumphant. Salvation, and 
glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God, 
for true and righteous are his judgments ; for he hath judged 
the great Whore, which did corrupt the earth with her for- 
nication ; and hath avenged the blood of his servants, at her 
hand. Then, too, the accuser of the brethren, that old 
serpent, which is the devil, shall be cast down, and bound 
a thousand years; that he shall deceive the nations no more, 
until the thousand years be accomplished; then he is to be 



160 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

loosed for a little season, before the day of judgment; for 
that day of the Lord shall come — and when it pleaseth 
Him — blessed be his name. No created being is ever to 
know anything about the hour, or the day. And it is, 
therefore, profane, and most impious, for any man to 
speculate about it; such an one, only shows, that he is 
" vainly and ignorantly puffed up, in his fleshly mind." 

Here, therefore, reader, we see the stupidity, or folly, or 
hypocritical madness, of all the second Personal reign mon- 
gers, who have been by a most inscrutible Providence, per- 
mitted to be their own disgrace, not only ; but the disgrace 
of even this adulterated, and still adulterous generation. 

But, we here leave them, to the just judgment of God ; 
and dwell for a moment longer, upon the prospect, which 
the overthrow and perdition of the man of sin, or Babylon 
the Great, and the binding of that old serpent which is the 
Devil, which are to be simultaneous events, for a thousand 
years, affords to all believers, or the Church of God, uni- 
versal. The Congregation of the Lord, will then be all 
righteous; and there will be righteousness and peace, 
throughout the world, for a thousand — or as it might more 
properly be rendered, for a vast millenary of years. Then, 
the voice of the blasphemer, shall no more insult the ears 
of the members of the Church of God ; all existing iniqui- 
ty, abashed, and ashamed, shall stop its mouth and hide 
its head. All the officers of the church, or among believers, 
shall be peace; and all her exactors,'righteousness — the 
kings of the earth, bringing their glory and honor, to the 
church, will then accomplish that glorious promise; "The 
mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little 
hills, by righteousness. The Lord Jesus, [whose] throne js 
forever and ever, (through the agency of the Holy Ghost.) 
shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many peo- 
ple; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, 
and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift 
up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 161 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

more. Fear, and the sword, shall be far away — they shall 
sit, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, and 
none shall make them afraid. For thus saith the Lord, 
violence shall no more be heard in thy. land, wasting nor 
destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy 
walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise" This, assuredly, 
secures to the church, or believers, the presence of God, 
the communion of his love, and the signal manifestation 
of his glory. 

Indeed, reader — Behold! The tabernacle of God, shall 
be with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall 
be his people — and God himself — God the Holy Qhost, 
shall be with them, and be their God. 

Such, according to the sure word of Prophecy, will be 
the destruction of the Man of Sin. the binding of the old 
serpent, the Devil, for a thousand, or a millenary of years ; 
and such will be the triumphs of the Gospel of the Lord 
Jesus; — and where, is the rational being, to be found, in 
the possession of a sound mind, and who feels the least 
emotion of benevolence, who can stifle, or repel, the senti- 
ment of solemn awe ? and where is the man, with a heart 
so hard, as not to beat with bland emotions? who will not 
long to have the church of God, and this miserable race of 
immortals, thus visited by the Holy Ghost, sent down from 
heaven to dwell among them here upon earth ? 

O come, Lord Jesus ! come quickly — and heal the 
wounds of this bleeding world ! And now, To God the 
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be ascribed 
equal, undivided, and everlasting honors; and we know, 
that the blast of the second death, ivill wither all those, who 
refuse to say, AMEN. 

Although we have now beheld, through the glass of the 
sure word of prophecy by the Holy Ghost, in the distance 
of the long vista of future, unrevealed time, the "binding 
of the accuser of the brethren, that old serpent, which is 
the devil, for a thousand years; " and seen the overthrow. 
11 



162 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

and heard the doom of the "Man of Sin" — Babylon, the 
Great," to the "eternal damnation of hell;" and heard 
the "shout of one of God's strong and mighty angels, fly- 
ing through the midst of heaven ; " and the response — the 
rejoicings and congratulations of earth and heaven — the 
church militant and triumphant, on the occasion ; and wit- 
nessed, in prospect, the commencement of the promised 
" reign of righteousness and peace; " we have not yet per- 
mission from our master, the Lord Jesus Christ, here to 
leave the subject with our readers, without furnishing them 
with a view of some of the recently proposed operations of 
this God-aceursed power, which were projected by the Pope 
of Rome, assisted by that arch agent of his, Metternich, 
of the Prince Leopard foundation, in Germany. These 
may be, truly, called new and extraordinary revelations. 
The plan of operations referred to, was first presented to our 
view, in a number of the Dublin Catholic Herald, pub- 
lished in the year 1839, with comments upon it, by one of 
our judicious friends. That paper, in giving an account 
of the Roman Catholic society for propagating the faith 
in Ireland, held in Dublin, pompously represented, that, 
" After pohtifieial high mass," [we wonder if Paul or Peter 
ever heard of pontificial high mass? Truly, they say 
nothing about it.] But, after this pontificial nonsense, in 
which " His grace, the most Rev. Dr. Murry, officiated as 
High Priest ; " — [we read of the " High Priest of our pro- 
fession, Jesus Christ, the righteous," — but when did any 
of the apostles officiate as " High Priest? " ] but, after all 
this, and abundance more of flummery, the account pro- 
ceeds thus: "Dr. Kenney, aseended the pulpit, and pre 
nounced a very eloquent discourse." 

From this apostolic discourse on missions, the following! 
extract explained to the* laity " all they had to do" in the \ 
holy enterprise of spreading Popery over the world ! Just j 
one-half penn^ per week, and one our Father, and one : 
Hail Mary, and one St. Francis Xavier, "pray for us;" 



: 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 163 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

this would purchase one hundred days' indulgence, each 
repetition, besides converting the world ! ! ! But let us 
hear Dr. Kenney: 

" What was the co-operation required of them ? Not 
that they should leave house, and lands, and family, and 
friends, wife and children; but that each and every one of 
them should give the small sum of one-half penny per week, 
towards the support and furtherence of the glorious cause. 
Second, that they say for the prosperity of the institution, 
one our Father, and one Hail Mary, each day; or to offer, 
with the same intention, the patre and ave of their daily 
morning and evening prayers ; adding a short prayer, such 
as this: St. Franeis Xavier ! 'pray for us.' If they did 
that, they would have an indulgence of one hundred days, 
each time the prayers were repeated with a contrite heart. 
There would also be a plenary indulgence, once a month, 
for any subscribers, who said the appointed prayers every 
day; besides plenary indulgences on particular days ! That 
was all they had to do" ! That was all they had to do ! ! 
Two shillings and two pence ahead, per year! Not so 
very heavy burden, truly ; but it should be remembered, 
that this is an extra tax, for a special society, over and 
above the other sums paid to the priest. And then, how 
very easy the praying part of popery ! Only say the Lord's 
prayer, once, and one short prayer to the blessed Virgin, 
and one very short one, to St. Francis Xavier ! One prayer 
to God the Father, and two, to the saints, — his creatures, 
would answer every needful purpose. One to God, and 
two to creatures, are the precise infallible proportions of 
this praying prescription. — So decide these unerring priests. 
And then, to render the dose palatable, come the 6ne hun- 
dred days' indulgence, besides a plenary indulgence, once 
a month ; and plenary indulgence on particular days ! 
What more indulgences could the vilest sinner that ever 
drew breath, desire? Well did Robert Hall pronounce Po- 
pery "the grand master-piece of Satan." 



164 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Immediately after the above described celebration of High 
Mass, in Dublin, a manifesto of its object and proceedings, 
was circulated throughout Great Britain and the continent, 
and among the Catholics in America. 

But a little over two years after this, viz. in the summer 
of 1842, a pamphlet was issued, (the Pope and Metternich 
having sanctioned a system,) simultaneously, in London and 
in Dublin; entitled a "Proposed New Plan of A General 
Emigration Society; By A Catholic Gentleman." And 
although this pamphlet has been noticed in several of our 
Gazettes, and Periodicals, yet, we deem it a duty, and in 
good keeping with our object, in the present illustration of 
the character and policy of the "Man of Sin," to present 
our readers with a brief account of this Society. This is 
the more important, as our knowledge of the morbid and 
deluded state of the public mind, in our country, and in the 
Atlantic states, particularly, with respect to the aggressive 
movements of this formidable power, will not allow us to 
neglect this opportunity to attempt to direct the attention of 
our fellow christian countrymen, who may peruse our re- 
views, to the imminent dangers, to which all our republican 
institutions, and privileges, are now exposed, by the nefari- 
ous policy of this "Man of Sin." This however, is no 
new thing to us. For twelve or fifteen years past — yea, 
ever since we read the "Correspondence" between one of 
our "Secretaries* of State, with the prime minister" in 
Europe, of the " Man of Sin ; " in which, according to the 
prediction of John, our "king," that is, our Chief Magis- 
trate, " gave his strength and power unto the beast; " we 
have on all proper occasions, lifted up our voice, in the 
presence of our fellow citizens, in the language of warning 
and alarm. But, alas, they have little heeded our admoni- 
tions! and often, given us no thanks; yet, frequently loaded 
us with obloquy and reproach, and threatened the taking 

*Martm Van Buren, the "little magician," whose head forms a part o* 
a cut in our frontispiece. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 165 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

of our very life, even between the horns of the altar. But 
we knew it would not be long, before they would regret and 
bewail their ingratitude, their stupidity, their folly, and 
their madness, with respect to this matter. And already, 
that period draweth nigh. 

We may settle it in our minds, that the plan of this Ro- 
man Catholic Emigration Society, in one shape or another, 
with a step steady as time, — and with an eye that will 
never wink, — and with a heart more relentless and malig- 
nant than death, 

"Will on the way it takes/' 

Cracking ten thousand curbs, of 

More strong link asunder, than 

Can ever arise from the combined impediments" 

Of our "rotten" CONGRESS; our "drnnkcn"* 

Temperance "reformers; " our "legions" 

Of blasphemous "heretics" 

With all our » COME-OUTERS." 

Yes, reader, "be not deceived" the Principles of this plan, 
exhibited in the third openly avowed object of it, viz; 
"TO RENDER THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELI- 
GION, PREDOMINANT IN THE UNITED STATES," 

are cordially responded to, from their first announcement, by 
every potentate and grandee in Great Britain, and on the 
Continent of Europe ! Said the illustrious Curran, and 
the sentiment merits golden capitals, the world over, in all 
time, as it will be true to eternity. — "The only condition 
on which God gives liberty to man, is eternal vigilance ; 
which condition, if he break, servitude, is at once thenat- 

*That professed christian, who attempts "reform" of any spiritual value 
to his fellow man, by that 'ignis fatuus ' "moral suasion," without basing 
it on evangelical repentance, is a Bill e fool — "needs that one teach him, 
which be the first principles of the doctrines of Christ." Such "reform," 
however, consorts very well, with the faith, habits ,and prospects, of debau- 
ches, Universalis' s, 8'icinians, falsely called Unitarians, Puseyites, Shaking 
Quakers, Sioeedenborgeans, Sandy minions, Christ-tians, Jews, Mahometans, 
Papists, Heathen, " et id. ornne genus " that are " bound over to the devil and 
his angels ; ' and we would here, on the whole, urge no objection : but, 
very devoutly, say, Amen. 



16G "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ural consequence of his crime. ai,d ll:e just punishment cf 
his guilt." , 

We do not indeed, say, that there is a formal conspiracy, 
between the crowned heads of Europe, to bring our Re- 
public under the control of the "Man of Sin ; " but we do 
mean to say, that no duly enlightened conscientious man, 
in either America, or even Europe, entertains a doubt, but 
that they all ardently desire such a tremendous and horri- 
ble result. And in this well known fact, the whole of the 
Romish devilish legions, — the Pope, his cardinals, his pre- 
lates, his priests, together with all the lower orders of his 
rabid brutes, of course, find great and constant encourage- 
ment and support. Although we freely admit, that there 
may be good reasons for the desire of their political econo- 
mists, as set forth in the pamphlet, to be one object of the 
plan of emigration, to remove those loathsome, poisonous, 
pestilential masses, of their population, from their commun- 
ities and cities ; yet it is as clear as light could make it, from 
the whole face, and tenor of their manifesto, that the 
grand, undivided, and undiverted object, of all of them is, 
"To render the Roman Catholic Religion, predominant in 
the United States." 

And now, to prove all our statements, and positions, we 
will proceed to show you, reader, what this "Man of Sin" 
himself, has openly declared in this pamphlet, concerning 
his policy, with reference to the conversion to popery, of 
the people of these United States. This Document, is so 
remarkably illustrative of the uniform policy, of the "False 
Prophet, " that we shall present our readers with all its 
leading features; as we feel confident that coming events, 
in the lapse of a few years, will prove, to the very hearts 
core, of degenerated Puritans and Republicans, that there 
is real meaning, in that text — " And when thou art spoiled, 
what wilt thou do? " 

In a general view, this scheme speciously proposes the 
"Centralization System" of Wakefield, introduced in Aus- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 167 

TO DIVERSE. NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

tralia. And the professed, leading objects are arranged and 
declared as follows — First, to dispose of the excess of pop- 
ulation. Second, so to dispose of it, as to create a larger 
demand for British manufactures. Third, (and this is the 
gist of the project of the Society of this u Man of Sin,") to 
render the Catholic Religion predominant in the United 
States.'' 

In order to accomplish these objects, the admirable pro- 
cess they propose to employ, is the colonizing of the Irish 
Catholic poor, in the Western States. Fourth, a pecuniary 
profit, is held oat, on the capital invested. Fifth, the se- 
curing an agreeable asylum, for a large class of persons, 
whose present situation in England, and on the Continent 
of Europe, is uncomfortable; such, and suchlike, as the 
younger sons of the nobility and gentry; gentlemen of de- 
cayed fortune — and those who now hang up#n the army 
or navy ; and the overstock, of the learned professions, who 
find little or no employment there at home. &c. &c. They 
have, moreover, illustrated this plan of their emigrant so- 
ciety, by a Map, of the United States and part of Canada; 
parts of which are colored, to designate the district, where 
their satanic scheme is to be Carried out. And in doing 
this, they have indeed shown, that they well know the 
geography of our country; and that their eyes are eagerly 
fixed, on the Great Valley of the West; which is, the fair- 
est and most desirable portion, not only of our domain, but 
that is to be found in the entire Continent of America. 
That such a scheme, should afford a stimulus of no ordi- 
nary character, to induce emigration to America, no one 
can deny — and that it took immediately, with vast num- 
bers, the rapid increase of emigration during that year most 
clearly proved. Up to July 30th, no less than 36,127 emi- 
grants, arrived at Quebec, in the year '42, which was 12,- 
878, more than came in the same period, the preceding 
year. Many others arrived also at Halifax, and St. John's. 
Large portions of these found their way, for certainty, to 



168 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the United States. Crowds of emigrants, at this period, 
were seen also, without number, iri the streets of Philadel- 
phia, New Orleans, &c. In New York, from the 1st of 
April to the 1st of July, the number of emigrant arrivals, 
was 42,712, — being more than 25,000 greater than during 
the same months the preceding year. Of this number, 
8,498, landed in five days. Between August 1st, and Sep- 
tember 23d, there arrived at the same port, from Liverpool, 
6,747; from London, 1,835; from Havre, 1,790; from Bre- 
men, 1,222; from Antwerp, 1,920; from Bristol, 180; from 
Glasgow, 593; from Gottenburg, 258; from Belfast, 138; 
from St. Johns, 148; from Rotterdam, 20; from Hamburg, 
141; from Norway, 115; from Aberdeen, 70; from New- 
castle, 98; from Gibraltar, 31 ; making in all, 14,560. And 
the larger portion of these, it. will be noticed, were from 
Catholic regions. - The ardor with which this plan is pur- 
sued, has been also, strikingly manifested by the Societies 
in Europe, for the promotion of Romanism in foreign coun- 
tries, viz : the one at Lyons, in France ; and the Leopold 
society, at Vienna, in Austria. The amount expended by 
the society at Lyons, for missions in North America, was, 
in 1839, $65,438. Of this sum, $52,425, or nearly five 
sixths, was devoted to missions in the Mississippi Valley. 
The next year, 1840, the appropriations of this society, to 
its North American missions, was increased to $63,000; 
being an advance of about one hundred and fifty per cent, 
in one year. Later accounts show a still further increase, 
proving the settled policy of the Roman " Man of Sin" 
with respect to our country. It was stated, moreover, in 
"The Catholic," a London newspaper of Aug. 6th, 1842, 
quoting it too, from an American authority, that the Right 
Rev. Joseph Saltz Beecher, Canon of Vienna, Austria, has 
been here, on a visit to the German Catholics — his stay 
was brief — but we learn he intends to visit the principal 
cities in the tlnion; to lopk into the religious condition of 
his countrymen in the United States. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 169 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

Now these statistics, this money, and visiting, with a 
commission too from Prince Metternich, to attend to the in- 
terests of the Papists, in this country, all go to prove a gen- 
eral sympathy in Europe, in just such views and measures, 
as an atrocious conspiracy, against ourcivil and religious, 
republican institutions, would adopt. 

But we will now proceed to give extracts from this sui- 
generis document, of the Roman Catholic Emigration Soci- 
ety; as these will exhibit the principal considerations, 
which the arch-authors # employ, to awaken the zeal of all 
classes, and especially Catholics, to enter into the project. 

The skill of their best diplomatic writers, is exhibited in 
this document, though " gotten up in all deceivableness of 
unrighteousness." The composition, for a state paper, is 
well calculated to mislead, " to dazzle and to blind," the 
well meaning and unwary ! The first paragraph sets forth 
the necessity for colonizing their surplus population, in 
terms following: % 

"In offering a new plan of emigration to the British pub- 
lic, it is almost unneccessary to premise, that such is now 
the rapid increase of population in the United Kingdom, — 
such increase averaging, it is conceived, about one thousand 
a day — that the excess can no longer be supported, but by 
an extended and extensive system of emigration. Austra- 
lia and New Zealand, though offering daily improving fields 
for this purpose, are, in themselves, insufficient to absorb 
the excess, independent of the objectionable length of the 
voyage, the expense of transit, amounting to about twenty 
pounds a-head, impose a limit to extended operations in 
these regions; since, to convey one hundred thousand emi- 
grants there, would require no less a sum than two millions 
sterling; even one-half of which amount, it would be dif- 
ficult, if not impossible, to keep in a state of annual re- 
newal." 

*We give no heed to the Jesuitism of its being the offspring of any single 
"Catholic Gentleman." 



170 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Again : further reasons are urged against sending out the 
British poor to the South Sea and Australian colonies: set- 
ting forth that those possessions should be preserved as 
asylums for the redundant population of the East Indies 
and China ! Who that reads the following, can control his 
risibility? 

" In searching for some other field now open to emigra- 
tion, which may be reached without the objectionable cost 
of such a passage as that to Australia, and in which the 
system there acted upon, being made more perfect, might 
be carried out; British America, would first suggest itself. 
But, unfortunately, that country is so situate, as to present 
an insurmountable obstacle; for centralization can never 
long be maintained, where higher wages and more fertile 
soil may be procured within a journey of only a few days. 
There it is, that the masses of emigrants, sent out at a great 
cost by the government and individuals, pass over, imme- 
diately ^fter their arrival, from these colonies,, to the United 
States." 

Again, we remark : This species of emigrants, you per- 
ceive, reader, can afford no inducements to capitalists to 
send them out. Therefore, it is here proposed to centralize 
them — to plant them in masses, in definite districts — sub- 
jecting them to certain conditions, which shall render it an 
object for them to go, and also, for the society to send them. 
Listen ' "For the want of means to defray such expenses, 
thousands to whom the change would be the greatest of 
human blessings, are now existing in misery and want; or 
driven to extremity for lack of employment, submit even to 
part with the last few shillings they possess, for a passage 
in an American vessel ; there to be crowded together in 
hundreds, under circumstances of nearly as great discom- 
fort and privation, as formerly attended the negroes from 
the African coast. They arrive penniless in the United 
States — and more frequently than not, they are disap- 
pointed in finding work at the port of landing — and hear- 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 171 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

ing they can secure it in the West, they attempt this long 
journey on foot, relying solely for support by begging on 
the way ; — and it is known, that many fall victims to fa- 
tigue, hunger, or disease, and never reach that home sought 
for, under every degree of uncertainty." 

Now, to prevent these unpropitious circumstances of the 
lower classes, the pamphlet proposes the following course — 

"The object in view, being to provide a remedy for these 
evils, it is conceived the means of doing so, are of ready 
application ; and that this centralization system may be 
carried out to its fullest extent, by locating the Irish poor 
in the Western states of America ; already so much fre- 
quented by their countrymen and relations. The blanks 
thus created, by the export of considerable numbers of 
these people, from all pans of the kingdom, would mate- 
rially tend to afford immediate relief under the existing 
pressure; while the wealthy capitalist, and experienced 
farmer, of ANY CREED, will not hesitate to avail them- 
selves of the ever-enduring toil, of these poor people ; when, 
as under the contemplated system, their labor can be se- 
sured, on a soil, perhaps the most productive in the world. 
It is not proposed to force nature, by cultivating lands 
where the profitable results may be doubtful; or to monop- 
olize large tracts of country, and thus look up the funds of 
the society, in unwieldly purchases; leaving little or no 
means for the development of the system. Such experi- 
ments have already been tried — wilh what result is well 
known. It is proposed in the first instance, to purchase 
primitive, or other tracts of land in the United States, of 
moderate extent, and selected, as being most readily brought 
into the highest state of cultivation ; or as being likely 
from position, to become the sites hereafter of towns and 
cities; such land may be obtained fiom the Government, 
at one dollar and a quarter per acre." 

Selecting the Mississippi Valley, as the portion of our 



172 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

country for the accomplishment of their views, they give 
it the following description — 

"The first settlement should be made in those fertile 
prairie districts, situated on the southern sides of the Can- 
adian Lakes, where slavery is unknown; and the elevation 
and temperament of which, will in all seasons, insure the 
health of the European settler. They would be comprised 
in the rich and productive States of Ohio, Michigan, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Iowa ; forming a 
large portion of the North Western valley of the Missis- 
sippi ; of which M. De Tocqueville, emphatically says, 
" If a paridlse is to be found on earth, it is there!" 
Capt. Marryatt, in his impartial and interesting "Diary" 
in America, says, (vol ii. p. 73,) This beautiful and fertile 
region, appears as if Nature had so arranged it, that man 
should have all the difficulties cleared from before him; 
and have little to do bat to take possession and enjoy. — 
There is no clearing of timber requisite; on the contrary, 
you have just as much as you can desire, whether for use, 
or ornament. 

"Prairies of fine rich grass, upon which the cattle fatten 
in three or four months, lie spread in every direction. The 
soil is so fertile, that you have but to turn it up, to make it 
yield grain to any extent; and the climate is healthy; and 
at the same time, there is more than sufficient sun, in the 
summer and autumn, to bring every crop to perfection. 

" Land carriage is scarcely required, from the numerous 
rivers and streams, which pour their waters from every di- 
rection, into the Mississippi. Add to all this, that the west- 
ern lands possess an inexhaustible supply of all minerals, 
only a few feet under the surface of their rich soil; a sin- 
gular and wonderful provision ; as, in general, where miner- 
als are found below, the soil is usually arid and ungrateful. 

"Of these mineral products, coal, the most useful of all, 
is inexhaustible; while no portion of the globe, can vie 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 173 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

with these regions, in the united production, (wherever 
their cultivation has been tried,) of tobacco, flax, hemp, 
wool, silk, grain, fruits; and all those animals, most gen- 
erally used or consumed by man ; and cotton abounds in 
the adjoining districts." 

They give other reasons for selecting the northern part 
of the western States, which they find in the facilities for 
reaching the field. Let us notice them : 

"The facilities for conveying emigrants to those locali- 
ties, are now rendered most easy and economical; for in- 
dependent of those afforded by the St. Lawrence, to Que- 
bec; daily opportunities occur, of obtaining passage in well 
prepared vessels, to New York, Philadelphia, or New Or- 
leans ; from which places, ready means of transit are at 
hand, by either of the three main routes. To reach those 
districts in which the society first contemplate to settle, 
easy and daily conveyance, during the proper season, is to 
be found from New York, by the Hudson river, and Erie 
canal, to lake Erie ; to which point, (from New York di- 
rect,) a railway is now, also, in course of rapid formation. 
From thence, by means of steam-boats on the lakes, equal 
facilities are afforded to those departing from either shore, 
to make their point of destination. It may not, they say, 
be improper to notice the opinion of captain Marryatt, on 
the importance to both countries, of the steam communica- 
tion on these lakes. How little are they aware, in Europe, 
of the vastness and extent of commerce, carried on in these 
inland seas ; whose coasts are now lined with flourishing 
towns and cities ; and whose waters are ploughed by mag- 
nificent steamboats, and hundreds of vessels, laden with 
merchandise." 

In the south and south-eastern direction, still greater 
numbers pass to these States, which are now becoming the 
great point of attraction, by way of Philadelphia ; whence, 
reaching Pittsburgh by canal, the Ohio river, with its count- 
less steam boats, affords instant conveyance to all who are 



174 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

intent on reaching these lands of promise. There is a third 
route, and one which, at no distant day, will, in all proba- 
bility, be more usually adopted than any other, viz : by 
the numerous vessels, which, having landed their cotton 
cargoes in Europe, return to New Orleans; these steamers 
daily ascend the Mississippi, which, as far as to its junc- 
tion with the Ohio, is navigable at all seasons ; being un- 
like some of the waters above that poin*, uninfluenced by 
drought or frost. No vessel enters the great commercial 
port of New Orleans, which could not be towed by steam 
tugs, to the last named port. Indeed, the Mississippi, up 
to the junction of this vast stream, with the Ohio, might 
be more properly termed an inlet of the gulf oi Mexico, 
and without its storms, than a river ; for steam has now 
given it the same facilities in navigation, as the ocean, of 
which it is the most important tributary. 

Facts are adduced, of sufficient weight, to convince every 
impartial reader, that no part of the United States, could 
be better chosen, for the first operations of the society, than 
that which natives, as well as strangers are alike eager to 
possess. Enough has also been said, in favor of the soci- 
ety's choice of location ; and a glance, (they say) at the 
accompanying skeleton map, will clearly demonstrate the 
judgement displayed in its selection. (Having the names of 
the states, our readers are well enough versed in geography 
to be in no want of maps.) 

The pamphlet proceeds to argue in favor of the United 
States, rather than the British possessions ; yet winds up 
by saying, "when, and where fair prospects present them- 
selves, and adequate capital is provided, the society will 
readily devote its earnest attention to British America, or 
any other colony, however distant." But next comes a 
view of the means by which the Jesuitical society is to 
carry out their plans. These, briefly, are as follow: — 
" The society bears the expense of transporting the emi- 
grant, and meets his first wants on the field j and, in re- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 175 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

turn, the emigrant pledges himself to labor for a period not 
less than three years, at reduced wages, for the society ; 
and placed under the direction of his priest. The improve- 
ments thus made, are the property of the society ; and are 
to be rendered profitable, in a way also specified. 

The next point is, how emigrants are to be obtained, and 
their faithful co-operation secured. 

It has become a fact, notorious everywhere, what won^ 
derful, not to say miraculous results, the temperance pledge, 
administered by Rev. Father Mathew, and the Irish clergy, 
has wrought upon the peasantry of that country. All wit- 
ness with wonder, and are lost in admiration of its efficacy. 

That country, where it was almost considered unmanerly 
and certainly unsocial, to be habitually sober; is now, by 
the extraordinary power of the pledge, thus administered, 
become as admirable for the industry and sobriety of its 
inhabitants, as it was previously noted for their irregular 
and riotous habits. A solemn pledge, given to his parish 
priest, (whom, in general, the Catholic fears more than the 
wrath of God,) has had influence sufficient to make an 
Irish peasant forego the enjoyment of a pleasure, which, 
according to his estimate of human happiness, perhaps 
ranked as its chief ingredient; and the relinquishment of 
which, must, certainly, at first, have been one of the great- 
est privations he could submit to. Is it then for a moment 
to be believed, that this man would less rigidly observe 
a pledge to serve the same pastor, diligently and faithfully 
for a given period, who should promise to lead him and his 
family from a land of misery and want, to one, where, with 
fair remuneration for his labor, he would be insured whole- 
some and abundant food, — a comfortable habitation, — 
and that which is most dear to the heart of every Irishman, 
however uncultivated, the uninterrupted and peaceful en- 
joyment of the religion of his fore-fathers, with the same 
facilities he enjoyed in his native land 1 And what is to 
be required of him, in return for these unlooked-for bles- 



176 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

sings? Why, that he should place his labor, and that of 
his family, at the disposal of the priests of the contem- 
plated society, for a period, in no instance exceeding three 
years; at a rate of wages below those of America, but 
probably double what he would receive at home, under the 
most fortunate circumstances; and on a spot, too, where 
the same amount of money, would purchase him double 
the quantity of the necessaries of life. Less could not be 
expected by the society, in return for a free passage and 
transit to the location first assigned to these emigrants, and 
where a comfortable and suitable dwelling would be pro- 
vided for them. 

Several of the most distinguished of the Irish clergy, 
have consented to administer this pledge, as a reward to 
such as have strictly observed that of temperance; fully 
believing, that in so doing, they would be consulting the 
best interests of their people ; provided it was arranged, 
that a Catholic (hear see him) pastor should always ac- 
company each body of emigrants, unless the intended lo- 
cation already possessed a Catholic church) and resident 
elergyman ! ! ! Who shall doubt that those who have ob- 
served one pledge to forego an enjoyment, with such scru- 
pulous exactitude, will not as religiously adhere to the 
other, with its evident advantages ? 

Little difficulty can attend the working of such a system, 
where the wants, dispositions, and inclinations of their 
flocks, are so well known to their pastors, as is the case in 
Ireland. He has been constantly habituated to watch over 
those, committed to his care, with the most patient and un- 
remitting attention — to administer to their necessities — 
arrange their differences — and in the hour of affliction, 
sickness, and death, to be the bearer of that consolation, 
which comes only from Him, who said, " I know my sheep, 
and my sheep know me." A pledge made to him, will be 
as surely kept in the distant land, as if it were only to be 
observed at home. Self-interest alone, (setting aside the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 177 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

tias of conscience and gratitude) would secure the strict 
observance of the pledge required ; for, as stated before, 
nature would in no instance be forced; and the principle of 
the Society, would be to place the emigrant on a soil, which 
he would never be anxious to quit; by making choice of 
such only, as accord with the foregoing descriptions — 
where little remains to be done, but to take possession and 
enjoy. 

The profitable results of this system, to the Society, 
would be very great ; and, it would bring increase of wealth, 

%jr*to the country of their adoption; and what is still «422 
SCjp more gratifying, would, whilstj providing for the .=p1 
grf* temporal wants of thousands ; INTRODUCE RE- «,£$ 
fty LIGION, and INSTRUCTION, INTO A COUN- «£Q 
fld^ TRY, where both are sure to meet with the most lib- ^£0 
Ol?* eral encouragement. ^Jjfr 

bbbbbbbbbbbbb bb 

Well, reader ; we begin to spy, I think, that this enter- 
prise partakes a little of the natiwe and policy of the old 
" Man of Sin" Indeed, what follows, shows that apro- 
motion of the exclusive interests of Romanism^ is guaran- 
teed by the provisions of the plan. 

"It must be distinctly understood, that no pledge would 
be given the poorest Irish, to locate in spots unprovided 
with chapels and clergy of their own religion; without 
which their labor would be unattainable ; therefore the re- 
quisite funds for the maintenance, and education of priests, 
and the support of churches, must be provided out of the 
resources of the Society. Without this arrangement, the 
scheme would prove abortive — and it would be highly re- 
prehensible and dishonest, to administer the pledge. 

" 4 Those who have watched the movements of the bee, 
have seen the young swarm, on leaving the hive, (alike the 

perfect emblem of industry, land colonization) in which 

12 



178 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 






they were generated ; moving from plain to plain, in restless 
confusion; till, arrested by some cause, not apparent ; the 
mass of settlers clings to some distant bough, unprepared 
with, and unable to provide a new home. The cottager, 
with anxious care to secure the services of these industri- 
ous laborers, — perhaps the main support of his family — 
has prepared a new habitation for them ; but old experi- 
ence has taught him, that without securing the centre of 
attraction, (the roaming queen) his efforts to retain her fol- 
lowers must be in vain. When she is placed in the new 
dwelling, then, and not till then, does this young- colony 
settle in a state of tranquility, and betake itself cheerfully 
to its useful labors, creating a fresh store of wealth ; while 
the parent hive, to all appearance, has suffered no diminu- 
tion, of either its strength, or powers of production. 

"The religion of his forefathers, and his parish priest, are 
the Irishman's centre of attraction, and his queen-bee. 
The cottager's success is, in increasing the number of his 
heirs; and thus his wealth depends on their possession. In 
like manner, you may locate the Irish ; you may pledge 
them to temperance — to residence in a fixed spot — to give 
them labor at a fixed price — and entirely carry out the 
society's plan ; but if you expect those pledges to be rig- 
idly and strictly adhered to, you must provide them with a 
place of worship, and a pastor; you must afford them the 
peaceful and uninterrupted enjoyment of the practices of 
religion, according to their ancient creed. Without resident 
pastors, they cannot be retained to give that labor on a 
fixed location, which would otherwise be so cheerfully be- 
stowed. 

This project, indeed, the more we contemplate it, be- 
comes the more interesting. The idea of propagating Ro- 
manism, by means of the Catholic "poor," is truly a master 
stroke of policy ! Look at its results in Glasgow. "The 
Irishman's first care was then, what it is now, and ever 
will be, to devote what little surplus remains after the fru- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 170 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

gal wants of nature were satisfied, voluntarily to aid in the 
support of his pastor; and to assist him in the construction 
of a temple dedicated to the worship of the God who had 
thus conferred on him means, exceeding what his necessities 
required. Glasgow has been adduced, as an example of 
this position; for, like most of the rising cities of America, 
it owes its advancement to an excellent commercial loca- 
tion : one that would amply repay the labor and capital 
laid out on its design ; in the construction of docks, wharves, 
fortresses, and all other necessary establishments of com- 
merce. The demand for labor, in its various works and 
improvements, exceeded the means of supply, afforded 
even by Scotland, populous and industrious as she is al- 
lowed to be; and the* employment of the redundant popu- 
lation of Ireland, was absolutely necessary, to complete 
those great operations, which could not have been other- 
wise accomplished. 

The followers of John Knox, had certainly no natural 
predilection for the religion of the Irish ; but their labor 
was indispensable ; and the scale of interest, weighing down 
that of religious prejudice, enabled the enterprising inhab- 
itants of Glasgow, to reap the profits of their well arranged 
calculations. Wages beyond expenditure, and constant 
employment for a given period, were the necessary conse- 
quences. The number has now, increased to more than 
eighty thousand, in this city and its vicinity ; and other 
Catholic churches and pastors, have been and still will be 
the natural consequence. Thus has^heaven, in its own time, 
once more, made the poor its instruments, for again intro- 
ducing into our large towns and cities, that religion, which 
the first humble apostles (think of the Pope and his minions, 
using such language as this !) were instructed to teach to all 
nations, and to all people ; and in this particular instance, 
restoring those altars to the original faith ; the very memory 
of which, the destructive spirit of Puritanism, in former 
days, conceived it had obliterated forever. We here see 



180 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

how the interests of commerce, and the pursuit of wealtl 
passing through the filtration of Irish labor, have produce 
effects, which the ignorant attribute alone, to a rich pries 
hood, and a wealthy aristocracy. In like manner, to tr. 
pence of these poor Irish, are mainly, attributed, the spier 
did Catholic churches, which have risen up in Liverpoo 
Manchester, Birmingham, and our other great manufactu 
ing cities ; to say nothing of how their multiplied mit< 
contributed to the erection of the Catholic cathedral ji 
Moorfields, and the progress now making, in rearing tr 
magnificent church in the borough ; (notwithstanding th 
awful distress, at present, so severely pressing on the pooi 
is greatly attributable to the same cause." 

Thus having settled their minds upon the wisdom am 
excellence of the plan of using the "poor" to introduce an 
establish "Romanism," or the "Man of Sin," in this com 
try; they have, nevertheless, seen fit to pause, and sta 
the very grave question, truly ; What are the proba 
bilites as to success? How will this project be viewed b 
Americans ? Will the sons of the pilgrims, Huguenot 
and Covenanters, who fled from the vicinity of the Papac 
in Europe, be likely to endure its presence, in their asylun 
on so large a scale 1 We will quote the speculations an 
statements of the pamphlet on this subiect ; not, howeve: 
because we consider them well founded ; but in order \ 
show our readers how well adapted this scheme is, to er 
list the zeal of Romanists in Europe. By the followin 
extract, they think the Americans will not greatly dislik 
to have the Pope for their near neighbor ; but it will b 
perceived, that they principally go to prove, that the Amer: 
cans cannot prevent it if they would ! Yes, true it ii 
reader, the Catholics no longer disguise their confidence < 
obtaining the ascendency in this country. 

" By the method and regulations contemplated by thi 
Society, (as the prospectus, which is to guide its operation* 
will fully detail,) all direct contributions for such object 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD." 181 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

rom any class of society, will be avoided; and it is ex- 
acted, that the fertile soil of America, will, with the aid 
>f Irish labor, produce a combination of results, highly 
emunerating to subscribers; much gratification to the 
riends and supporters of the Catholic religion, and no more 
egret with those whom ^prejudice may, perchance, have 
>iased against its introduction, than is now felt by those in 
his country ; who, in making Irish Catholic labor, a step- 

ig stone to wealth, have simultaneously, introduced a 
knowledge of the true principles which govern its religion, 
ind which will naturally, be the more appreciated, as it 
becomes more generally diffused." 

That they will be viewed without alarm, nay, even held 
n estimation, in the Western parts of the United States, 
iannot be doubted, by any one who reads the annexed ex- 
racts of Capt. Marryatt's interesting Diary; (see vol. 3, 
>p. 157, 164.) 

" If the Protestant cause is growing weaker every day, 
rom division, and indifference ; there is one creed, which 
s rapidly gaining strength; I refer to the Catholic church, 
vhich is, silently, but surely, advancing. Though it is not 
brty years since the first Roman Catholic See, was created; 
here is now in the United States, a Catholic population of 
100,000 souls, tinder the government of the Pope, an Arch- 
bishop, twelve Bishops, and 433 Priests. This was true, 
everal years since — the Catholic population in the United 
States, in 1842, was estimated at 1,400,000, and the nura- 
>er of priests at 560. Its great field is in the West — where, 
n some States, almost all are Catholics; or from neglect, 
ind ignorance, altogether indifferent about religion. But 
he Catholic priests are diligent, and make a large number 
)f converts every year; and the Catholic population is ad- 
led to, by the number of Jrish and German emigrants to 
he West; who are almost all of them, of the Catholic per- 
suasion." (p. 17.) 

The pamphlet also quotes Miss Martineau, who says. 



182 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

"The Catholics of the country, thinking themselves now, 
sufficiently numerous, to be an American Catholic church, 
a great stimulous has been given to proselytism : this has 
awakened fear, and persecution; which last, has been fa- 
vorable to the increase of the Catholics." 

While the Presbyterians preach a harsh, ascetic, perse- 
cuting religion ; the Catholics dispense a mild and indul- 
gent one; and the prodigious increase of their numbers, is 
a necessary consequence. It has been so impossible to sup- 
ply the demand for priests, that the term of education has 
been shortened by two years. 

The author of the "Voice from America," remarks — 
" The Protestant cause, in America, is weak, from the ef- 
fects of the voluntary system; particularly, from its divi- 
sion into so many sects. "A house divided against itself, 
cannot stand; " and every year, it will be found that the 
Catholic church is increasing its power — and it is a ques- 
tion, whether a Hierarchy may not eventually, be raised; 
which, so far from advocating the principles of equality 
may serve as a check to the spirit of Democracy; thus be- 
coming more "powerful than the Government ; changing public 
opinion — and reducing to better order, the present chaotic 
state of society ! " (Well done, Mr. " Voice.") And again, 
they quote Judge Halliburton, as saying of the Catholics 
in this country : — " They gain constantly; they gain more 
by emigration ; more by natural increase in proportion to 
their nurrbers; more by intermarriages, by adoption, and 
conversion, than the protestants With their exclusive 
views of salvation, and peculiar traits, as soon as they 
have the majority, this becomes a Catholic country — with a 
Catholic Government, with the Catholic Religion, estab- 
lished by law! Is this a great change 1 

"A greater change has taken place among the British — 
the Medes and Persians of Europe — the nolumus leg is mu- 
tari people. What then, will be the natural order and 
progress of events now in train here, not produce? I only 



» 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 183 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

speak of this ; I do not dread it. I hope and trust and pray, 
that it may be so; not because I think them right, for I do 
not; but, because they claim to be a Christian church, and 
because it is a church ; and any sect is better than the sub- 
stitution of a cold, speculative philosophy, for religion; as 
we see too frequently among us. We are too greedy to be 
moral — too selfish to be pious; and too independent to be 
religious. United under one head, and obedient to that 
head ; with the countenance and aid of the whole Catholic 
world; what can they not achieve? Yes, it is the only 
cure that time, and a merciful Providence, has in store for 
us. We shall be a catholic country." [p. 21. 

That the spiritual predominance of Romanism, is not all 
that is promised, as an inducement to the wealthy Catholics 
of Europe, to engage in this Society, is very significantly 
intimated in the following sentences, a part of which, we 
place in italics, to secure the attention of the reader. First, 
it quotes a remark of Dr. Reed : " The west will become 
the heart of the country, and ultimately determine the 
character of the whole." In a note, it is added : " Losing 
sight of spiritual considerations, how clearly, in a temporal 
point of view, does this observation bespeak the district 
chosen by this Society, as the most certain to realize all 
anticipated results ? " 

What other anticipated results, - the writer has in view, 
may be inferred from his remark, "That the Catholic re- 
ligion cannot fail, in its influence, to soften the manners 
of society, and to curb the spirit of pride, which denies re- 
spect to superior authority, or tends to a belief that we 
were created to be independent of each other; ideas unfor- 
tunately too common, in the early stages of democracy." 

We have already repeatedly intimated our simple con- 
viction on the subject before us. in all its aspects and pres- 
ent bearings. This pamphlet presents the permanently 
settled system of policy of the " Man of Sin," or Roman- 
ism, according to which, his legions will march forward to 



184 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the end of their chain. All their subsequent questions and 
problems, will be worked most vigorously, by the rufas of 
this most acute and sublime arithmetic ! And, as I am 
humbled by the conviction that our "king," as foretold by 
John, has actually and shamelessly, "given his strength 
and power unto the beast" — that is, has virtually invited 
him to take our country, our civil and religious interests, 
under his control ; promising him every facility in the pow- 
er of the government to afford — I cannot, I dare not say, 
with hundreds of the stupid clerical brethren, " that I do 
not believe that God will abandon to the dominion of An- 
te-Christ, our schools, our republicanism, and the living 
churches of this land — the revival churches ! — the church- 
es which are sending missions to all the world" ! ! ! Le't 
me ask such skillful reasoners, what evidence have you, 
that the mode in which you have prosecuted your missions, 
has been in the least pleasing to God? Where have you 
gained such a position, in a single instance, as to warrant 
the conclusion that "you have" not "run without being 
sent"? Will any of the congregations of your heathen, 
professed converts, maintain the system of worship you 
teach them, one day longer than whilst you continue to 
exercise dominion over them? Reply as you please. We 
know you have not the authority to point to one. And 
such being the fact, before high heaven, how can you be 
so stupid as to glory in " your missions to all the world" ? 
We are ashamed of you; and often before, have been; that 
you should thus, in the face of evidence against your plan 
of operations, "strong as proof of Holy Writ," still cling 
to your delusions; and, perhaps not intending it, but really 
deluding the churches by whom you (the officers of boardi 
of mission) are sustained ! Why then should not God 
abandon you ? 

But we return to our pamphlet. Its remainder is de- 
voted to the idea of the expediency of extending the same 
plan of emigration to other countries ; (they will have the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 186 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

whole ; ) especially, to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and 
Prince Edward's Island; but they conclude that — 

" The unceded and uncultivated lands of these provin- 
ces, as well as in the Canadas, are more or less covered 
with timber; and where the cultivation of land, must, from 
necessity, follow its clearance, the progress of agriculture 
will be slow, in the proportion of at least fifty to one, to 
what it would be in a prairie country ; (such as character- 
izes the provinces already described, in the United States,) 
and thus prevent the quick re-sale of land brought into the 
first stages of culture. The Association will not fail, how- 
ever, in conjunction with these provinces, to have all Brit- 
ish America carefully surveyed." 

The pamphlet expresses a very favorable opinion of the 
Canadas ; and quotes several writers, and particularly the 
dispatches of the late lord Durham, to show, that this coun- 
try also, is a desirable object of Catholic ambition. Next 
come various arguments for the plan ; first, profitableness 
and safety of investments. "It has been already stated, 
that, by the leading principles governing the investments 
of this Society, it will, in no instance, whether in their own 
colonies, or in the United States, purchase larger tracts of 
land, in any one district, than its financial resources can 
bring into the first stages of cultivation ; nor will it invite 
over emigrants, until employment and a home await their 
arrival." 

By this method, it will not only return quick profits, but 
also avoid the jealousy, naturally to be expected in a for- 
eign country, of any attempt to monopolize large tracts of 
land. It is therefore proposed, to effect sales, at periods, 
probably never exceeding three years from the date of the 
original purchase; or, in five, when the advancement made 
in improvement may warrant a handsome profit; merely 
retaining within each township, the land, on which the 
temporary Catholic church, shall have been erected; the 



186 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

house of its minister; the school house, and such a quanti- 
ty of glebe land, as the society may hereafter determine." 

We percieve in the next place — the pamphlet represents, 
that the plan of this Society will help our insolvent states 
to pay their debts, and complete their public works. And 
we cannot omit noticing their provision for their priesthood. 

" In the United States, at this period, no system hitherto 
devised, could produce so rapid and systematic a revival of 
National wealth ; or, more effectually, enable each State to 
acquit those debts, which the vast resources of their coun- 
try warranted them in contracting; in anticipation of large 
annual returns; from railways, canals, and great public 
works, now left incomplete, and profitless, solely from a 
want of more capital ! After paying to the proprietors a 
dividend of eight per cent, it is proposed, that the Society 
should not contemplate making any greater division of 
profits; but that it should re-invest all its surplus, in 
further augmentation of capital. By these means, a con- 
stant increase of land will be always advancing, in a state 
of improvement; and besides adding to the wealth of the 
Society, be an equally efficient assistance, in exporting pau- 
perism from the parent state. 

" The success of this institution is, as already explained, 
from its very nature, mainly dependent on a supply of 
missionaries, to keep pace with its advancement; and there- 
fore a portion of the proceeds of every re-sale, will be set 
aside, as a fund, for their education; and another part will 
also be alotted, to support charitable endowments; and the 
education of the poor. The dividend, to the proprietors, 
(to the extent of eight per cent.) always to take precedence 
of any other division of profits." 

They speak of a private prospectus, with regard to their 
buisness details, which, it is presumable, will be exhibited 
only to those who embark in the enterprise. We pass here, 
much which they have further said, on this branch of their 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 187 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

subject, as not material to our purpose — and proceed to 
exhibit a few paragraphs which show the adaptedness of 
the scheme, to enlist the interest of the various classes of 
the British community. First, with respect to those of rank 
without wealth : — " If the estate be small, how dearly does 
the favored first born, pay for his right of inheritance? But 
passing him over in silence, let us give our attention to the 
condition of his brothers, and sisters ; and reflect upon what 
slender means they are expected to support their now ac- 
knowledged position in society. How much better would 
it be, that in lieu of merely dragging on an existence, under 
privations, which almost involve a sense of degradation; 
they should, with their scanty patrimony, emigrate to lands, 
where their presence would be welcomed ; their small cap- 
ital, produce a handsome return; and where, the dead 
weight of distinctions, in local rank, would not clog their 
efforts, in the acquirement of honorable independence? 
Were this system of emigration followed up, by the class 
here alluded to, they would act as leaders, in inspiring con- 
fidence in the plan, among the poorer emigrants; whilst 
their better education, and refined manners, would give a 
tone to the rising society, of the new country of their 
adoption." 

And, again, saith the pamphlet: — "Are not the difficul- 
ties, in the way of contracting marriages, in early life, 
between those of the same rank, solely attributable to over 
population; and, to the utler impossibility, of the com- 
bined fortunes of a young couple, say from £1,000 to<£5,0( 0, 
enabling them to possess, in the marriage state, the comforts, 
or to maintain the appearance, expected from them in their 
respective classes? " 

The society proposes to remove the obstacles which now 
deter such parties from emigrating, by pr< paring land, (and 
whenever such may be demanded) suitable residences for 
them; and then, how many, with a very moderate for- 
tune; no more than would have purchased a commission 



183 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

in the army — would be in a condition proper to marry, in 
the vigor of youth, and health, both, according to their 
own inclinations, and in their own sphere of life. 

As to the professions, overstocked — the pamphlet pro- 
ceeds : — " The practice of the law or learned professions, 
is already overstocked by men of talent, whose exertions to 
advance, are but too often futile; and whose energies are 
broken by despair; or diverted by disapointment, into 
channels, not only useless, but prejudicial to society, and 
to themselves. War is now made upon paper ; numerous 
protocols, and lengthened negotiations, wear out the spirit 
of enmity, and promotion, in the army or navy, becomes 
every day, less frequent. Church preferment, grows but 
slowly; and its hitherto tempting endowments, rest upon 
a very precarious basis. [This is, as it should be.] The 
emoluments derivable from the two last, are but a life in- 
terest, at best — and seldom proportioned to the attainment 
of ease, and the desired comforts of life, till the days of 
enjoyment are passed away." 

Next, follow reasons for residents on the continent to 
enter into their scheme: 

"More than fifty thousand persons of limited incomes, 
are now reported to live, or rather vegetate, on the conti- 
nent, driven there for economy — and where all necessaries 
of life cost fully double, what they may be obtained for in 
the Western States of America. Suppose each to spend 
only £50, it gives an aggregate of £2,500,000, expended 
without the smallest outlay, in English manufactures. In- 
stead of which, by locating themselves upon the estates of 
this society, by purchasing some of its prepared lands^ 
which will be immediately productive — they will unite 
healthful occupation and increased economy ; become grad- 
ually possessors of most valuable estates ; and enjoy, at the 
same time, the pleasing satisfaction, of still benefitting their 
native land, by the constant purchase of English exports." 

But in all their classes of emigrants, they propose there 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 189 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

shall be no artisans, sent out under their Society. " In thus 
selecting the Irish agricultural population, as emigrants, on 
the proposed plan ; attention has been paid to three facts ; 
first, that a knowledge of agriculture, (in a greater or less 
improved state) is common to all the world ; and requires 
little or no apprenticeship, or peculiar skill, in the laborer; 
second, that these people have sacredly kept a pledge to 
their pastor, and therefore may be again trusted ; and third, 
even this pledge-system, to extend to our manufacturing 
artisans, so far from deriving a benefit from their emigra- 
tion ; we should injure the parent country ; for with their 
persons, they would not only export their craft, but if suc- 
cess attended first efforts, it would produce numerous fol- 
lowers of the same class; (with strong feelings of past 
sufferings brooding in their minds,) who, eventually, might 
have weight enough in the scale of jealousy and democra- 
cy, to exclude English manufactures from the United 
States; and thus, with our best operative talent, endeavor 
to monopolize to themselves, the benefits of commerce, as 
well as of agriculture. 

But we come, here, to their conclusion of the pamphlet — 
and they furnish it in emphatic capitals. And if any 
thing can furnish evidence, that this Society rely with 
confidence upon the cordial sympathy and support of every 
crowned head, and potentate in Europe, their language here 
has furnished it. It runneth thus : 

" The co-operation of other European nations in promot- 
ing the objects of this Society, is most desirable ; particu- 
larly of those possessing a redundant population ; and who, 
like ourselves, are anxious to find a foreign market for the 
productions of their own country." And this is followed 
by a note : " The western districts may be said to have a 
particular claim to the patronage of France, as it was un- 
der their former sovereignty, that their vast resources, and 
facility of connexion between the northern lakes, and the 
first navigable tributaries of the Mississippi, were discov- 



190 "THING S NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ered by those enterprizing and amiable French Jesuit mis- 
sionaries, Hennepin and La Salle. As to Belgium and Ger- 
many, it is almost useless to call on them for greater sup- 
port than is already furnished by the mass of Catholic 
population, daily flowing from these kingdoms, into the fer- 
tile west! In proof of this, St. Louis, risen up, as it were 
but yesterday, in the heart of this country, now (in 1842,) 
boasts of more than thirty thousand inhabitants; twelve 
thousand of which, are German, Belgian, French, and Irish 
Catholics; mainly attracted by the system of education, 
afforded by the Belgian Jesuits, who have not only been 
the means of establishing a magnificent cathedral in this 
city, but also a "Jesuit college," now classed so high in 
affording instruction; that beyond the commendations uni- 
versally bestowed on its internal arrangements, its rules 
may be almost said to hold out the best model for diffusing 
knowledge through the West".! 

Our invitation is especially applicable to Belgium, France, 
and a large portion of Germany. They contain a consid- 
erable population ; and, a priesthood, in the rural districts, 
like that of Ireland ; possessing, fully, the confidence and 
the affections of the people. These countries, with the ex- 
ception of France, have no colonies of their own ; a fact, 
which should act as an additional reason, for their cordial 
co-operation. They have all, luxurious produce, and man- 
ufactured articles to export; and though grain may not be 
with them, as with us, an object of barter ; they may, after 
depositing their emigrants, and exports; always' find a 
profitable re- loading, at New Orleans, Philadelphia, New 
York, or any other port." 

We here, only add, in conclusion — that we have now per- 
formed our duty to God, and our fellow countrymen, with 
respect to this document of the " Roman Catholic Emigra- 
tion Society." It well illustrates many traits in the char- 
of this "Man of Sin." On that account it is, that we 
have here, in the foregoing paragraphs, exhibited its great 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 191 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

and leading features; that our readers may become ac- 
quainted with it. It merits the earnest perusal of all de- 
generated Puritans, and Republicans; yes! of every well 
wisher, to American Protestants; as we, have not the 
remnant of a doubt, but that the "leaven" which this dev- 
ilish missile contains, according to an irrever able law, 
"will leavea the whole lump." "We speak as unto wise 
men; judge ye what we say." And now, may the Lord, 
have mercy upon us; and be our buckler, our shield, and 
our deliverance — and to his Name be all the glory, Amen. 



EKMON VIII. 



PROVERBS XXVI, 4 — 5. 

Answer not * a. fool according to his folly, lest thou 
also be like him. answer a fool according to his 



Reader: — The prohibition contained in the first verse of 
our text, needs little explanation. It plainly forbids our 
encouraging or countenancing, by our words or actions, the 
follies or reprehensible conduct of the fool in question, as 
we shall thereby let ourselves down to his mean, pitiful, 
and contemptible level. The famous character here refer- 
red to, is always supposed, of course, to possess an item 
or so, of common sense ; that he is, in a measure, however 
small, capable of acting agreeably to the dictates of en- 
lightened reason ; or the injunction itself, would be with- 
out foundation. In our second verse, we are enjoined by 
the Highest Authority, in one way or another, when we 
witness the improprieties and follies of fools, to administer 
salutary and effectual rebuke — making the fool or fools, 
conscious and ashamed of their conduct — showing them, 
in the most pointed manner, that they deserve the appella- 
tion and condemnation of " Bible fools." 

We have just said, such rebuke is to be administered in 
one way or another. The Preacher has left this point, the 
modus operandi, to the discretion and choice of the Chris- 
13 



194 "THINGS NEW AND OLD,' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

tian teacher, whose duty it becomes to administer rebuke 
to such fools. He may adopt a solemn, plain-spaeched 
manner ; or, if the subject or subjects of rebuke, have a 
due degree of intelligence, he may adopt the style of satire, 
and the most caustic irony. Either of these modes is most 
clearly evangelical. 

These points, then, in relation to the manner of our treat- 
ment of fools, being settled and made plain to the under- 
standing of any wayfaring man, woman or child, a mo- 
ment's reflection suggests to us the idea, that we should 
here avail ourselves of another declaration of the preacher, 
while contemplating the exciting and ludicrous, yet humili- 
ating subject of the "folly of fools," which, evidently was 
designed to go always in company with our text, " To 
everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 
under the heaven. A time to laugh." 

Now, it must be universally admitted, that in the illus- 
tration of these texts, we are not necessarily compelled to 
be highly theological, in the technical sense ; for all read- 
ers are aware, that the celestial steamboats and railroads 
of our day, have brought us learned and ponderous scien- 
tific journals in theology, almost as luminous and valuable 
as infidelity or loco focoism itself has ever produced ! Nor 
yet do the texts compel us to be exclusively religious; and 
why should we? We have religious magazines for all 
kinds of devotion; and all kinds of practice; and of all 
sizes; and multiplied beyond arithmetical computation — 
for the family — for the mother — for the child — for the 
youth — and, perhaps, for uncles and aunts; though we dare 
not affirm here, that there is any yet for fathers. And wc 
have but just now received a Bible for the " cottage." Nor, 
again, do our texts oblige us to occupy your time, reader, 
with any one class of subjects to be laughed at ; there are 
already at your doors, if not in your possession, sermons 
enough, and miany of them just good enough, fresh* from 
the new school mint, which all, but downright religious 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 195 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

loco focos, consider as fit only for derision; yet, you will, 
we humbly trust, arrive at a tolerably correct understanding 
and comprehension of our texts, should we not give our 
opinion concerning either of those very lacrymose and me- 
dicinal productions. Our sermon will be simply a sermon 
exactly adapted to produce oral illustrations; as we shall 
state facts as they appear on record, concerning some of 
our interests and affections, and habits and passions; with 
but very little connected with our duties as rational men, 
or as being under the least obligation, in these times, to 
recognize any authority, whatever, as the true standard of 
either evangelical faith or practice. We shall, however, 
give a transient glance at Politics, Ethics, Medicine, Litera- 
ture, Religion, and the diverse humbugs of the times, which 
one finds in company with them, in every city and town 
in Christendom. We should, indeed, be inexcusable, did 
we not do this ; our New Haven oracle, and his god-father, 
the great Dr. Wind-of-Doctrine — the semi-compound of all 
modernism, and summit of the most stupendous consistan- 
cy; being, in himself, independently of all mundane beings, 
every religious sailor's compass-boxer — the religious Pan- 
dora of the last thirty years; who declared, recently, that, 
sink or swim, survive or perish, he should return from New 
England, and continue to fight the devil in the west. Yes, 
these sublime authorities now boast, and have published 
their boast, that, within the last twenty years; (we use thier 
words) — " The intellectual character of man is changed; " 
and they give this gravely; and plead the fact, as a reason 
why we should all teach and believe according to their 
wind-of-doctrine system. And here we come full-butt at the 
secret of our texts, viz : the father of lying oracles, has 
induced even these educated Puritans, finally to confess the 
truth, that they themselves are fools; without having un- 
dergone, to our knowledge, any of the processes of tran- 
substantiation, or transcendentalism in the popular phreno- 
logical and physiological use of those terms ; and that all 



196 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

around them are fools; and such are the very characters 
to whom Solomon refers in our text, as being in their very 
natures, ridiculous; and. therefore, always furnishing us 
with matter worthy of laughter. You see, then, Christian 
reader, that we should be inexcusable, were we to attempt 
to illustrate our texts, by giving any view of the ecclesias- 
tical or civil history of the "Peaquods, or Mohegans, or 
witches," even of New England; we could not do justice 
to the lives and characters of their distinguished individu- 
als. We must also omit various and curious topics, in their 
jurisprudence and legislation ; each of which might furnish 
matter, here and there, and a time, too, to laugh; but these 
topics, we candidly admit, should be discussed indepen- 
dently of polemics and party politics ; and with reference, 
indeed, to established principles of economical and politi- 
cal science, after the style of our Washingtons, our Frank- 
lins, our Adamses, our Edwardses, and our Dwights, 
and our Masons, whose writings we consider worthy letters 
ofgold in plates of silver, as long as good sense, literature,, 
good morals, and orthodox religion exist among men. 

Pardon this- digression. We know our text says, we 
have "a time to laugh," and, surely, this is a proper oc- 
casion to indulge in such a sensation. Why, we were fur- 
nished, no longer ago than last winter, by Mr. Secretary 
Woodbury, in the Odeon, at Boston, according to his re- 
porters, with irrefragable proof, that, " society is to make 
progress in improvement, hereafter, as it has done hereto- 
fore ! " The position was advanced by him, and established 
beyond the possibility of refutation, that the "arts and 
sciences, [and we suppose, sublime humbugs of professed 
improvements] will continue to advance, so long as the 
world shall stand ! " He made it clear as light itself, that, 
" everything here, was once in its infancy ; that the world 
itself, is only a cradle;" and, as illustrative of these sage 
positions, his audience were called upon to " see acorns 
spring into oaks, and eggs into eagles ! " Yes, he furnished 



►THINGS NEW AND OLD," 197 

TO DIVEI^), NOTAraE FOOLS AND ASSES. 



the extraordinary intelligence, that " the compass, which 
now directs the noble ship, [except, yon know, reader, she 
stay at home, or be lost,] over every sea, was once a piece 
of merely magnetised steel, stuck into a straw, and sup- 
ported in a bowl of water ! " And he, at that time, also 
furnished the intelligence, that the " art of painting, had 
its beginning upon some uncouth drawings upon a village 
sign; [somewhere, we suppose, in the State of New Hamp- 
shire;] "that sculpture once aspired no higher than to 
chisel out a weathercock, to be placed on a pole f to show 
the variableness of the wind! " Verily, that hearer of his, 
on that occasion, who did not improve such an opportunity 
to laugh, must have been a fool indeed. 

But we have not yet related half the news of that semi- 
comico-lachrymose scene. " The Secretary stood alone," 
"in shape and gesture proudly eminent;" and informed 
his audience, that "empires have fallen;" but very hap-, 
pily for those born since their fall, they have arisen again, 
and actually advanced in improvement; that " while one 
horse has died, another more beautiful one had arisen; 
and though one sheep had gone away, another had come, 
with a finer fleece upon her back." And just so it is, said 
the Secretary, (according to his faithful reporters,) there is 
a gradual improvement in everything! Particularly, dur- 
ing the last eighteen hundred years, the Gospel had been a 
powerful instrument in civilizing the world. And printing, 
O! yes, indeed, "printing had been a great means in dif- 
fusing light through the gloomy mass of mind ! " * 

Reader, were not these extraordinary items of intelli- 

*"Yes," replied a gentleman, catching the spirit of his "learned" quon- 
dam friend, the Secretary, (that, however, was before he sold himself for a 
passage in the car of Jackson,) "Yes, sir, you are right, as to the wonder- 
ful influence of the press; particularly in Boston, in pouring light into the 
most gloomy 'mass of mind.' Such has been its influence here, that all 
the animals in the Boston menagerie, under the tuition of that old 'type- 
setting goat' — Buckingham, have, within the last twenty-five years, be- 
come scholars; many have become editors! ! ! And we have heard it said, 
that 'three mules' now edit a large weekly paper very satisfactorily to 
their readers ! You cannot praise the Buckingham menagerie too highly." 



198 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR evangIItcal boi#s. 

gence? And, is it not a most mysterious matter, how our 
Secretary obtained such a knowledge of them? And does 
he not richly merit the falling mantle of his master, Jack- 
son, for giving so vast a fund of instruction, in only one 
evening, to the ignorant and illiterate citizens of Boston? 

Again : who can repress laughter, on receiving the intelli- 
gence, that the facilities for acquiring knowledge, are soon 
to be ineffably increased, by a new celestial rail road? 
This project is said to have been originated (and to be now 
almost completed,) by characters famed for maxims of wis- 
dom, and the most sublimated virtues ! Men of as profound 
spirituality, and as lofty aims, as the sagest philosophers of 
old. These high encomiums will appear to every reader, 
perfectly sustained, when we have given their names, as 
furnished by the Mail. We have already named the great 
Dr. Wind-of-Doctrine, one of the sponsors to the New Ha- 
ven oracle, and who is said to be a leading character in the 
"celestial rail road company;" and with him, and the 
New Haven oracle, are said to be associated the Rev. Mr. 
Shallow-deep, the perfectionist of the three gender "Ober- 
lin Institute," Ohio ; the Rev. Mr. Stumble-at-Truth, the 
famous "note-taker" in Philadelphia : that fine old char- 
acter, the Rev. Mr. This-to-Day, who expects shortly to 
resign his pulpit to the Rev. Mr. That-to-Morrow; together 
with the Rev. Mr. Bewilderment, and the Rev. Mr. Clog- 
the-Spirit; yes, all these, it is veritably said, are engaged 
in the work of manufacturing steam for the car! ! ! And 
that Christian who hears such news, will, we think, cer- 
tainly be at no loss as to the meaning of Solomon, in our 
text, "There is a time to laugh." But, merriment apart. 
Let no man charge us with either a want of Christian in- 
genuousness, or evangelical, Puritanic Orthodoxy. • 

To prove to our readers, that our ingenuousness, and be- 
nevolence, (where not met by the frost of heresy,) have no 
winter in them, we will conclude our sermon, on this sub- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 199 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

ject of "the folly of fools," with a very different air; and 
which we some years since called, the " Vindication of 
fools." 

Well, the folly of "fools" is the subject of our sermon. 
We cannot tell, what you, reader, and most men think of 
it; but 

"For our single self, we'd as lief not be, 
As live to be in awe of such a thing " 

as folly. We very well remember, that our long since 
sainted parents often compelled us, in early life, to read 
the "Proverbs of Solomon;" andwe greatly wondered, 
why so good, and wise and great a man, as he was, 
should seem so inimical towards "fools;" as in our 
view, at that period of life, there could not be found 
more than one, or two, in the world, And though ad- 
vancing life, experience and observation, have since cor- 
rected our mistake, as to the number, of this fraternity; 
yet, to this hour, we are often compelled to ask why it is, 
that not only Solomon, but all generations, have been so 
implacably set against " fools ; " as it is as capable of dem- 
onstration, as any problem in mathematics, that "fools" 
are the great staple of the human family; and after all, are 
the works of God, as well as wiser men. Indeed, of the 
mass of mankind, the larger portion, are "fools " from head 
to foot — and the rest, differ only, in having their folly va- 
riegated, by an occasional vein of wisdom ; hardly more 
than sufficient, however, for preventing themselves from 
burning their fingers ! And even this, is often of that bas- 
tard sort, which is more appropriately designated by the 
name of cunning. Even the wisest, of mankind, pay their 
due tribute at the shrine of folly, exhibit occasional speci- 
mens of it, which of course, set the duller souls staring, by 
its exaggerated absurdity ! Happy, indeed, is it for them, 
that this is the case; for, without some such protecting in- 
firmity, they would be put out of all relation to their fellow 
creatures. Such faultless beings, would be as much dis- 



200 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

placed in the degenerated society of our times, as a hare in 
a kennel of hounds, or a sheep in a den of wolves. 

Folly, ever since the " Fall," is the rule of Nature; and 
wisdom, but an exception; and to complain of it, is to com- 
plain that you, yourself, are a man. The outcry against 
folly, is a mere, rebellion against Heaven. It shows an 
utter want of self knowledge, or, a contemptible affectation. 

In one word, it is no better than sheer cant, and ought, 
like all other cant, to be put down by general denunciation. 
Providence makes nothing in vain, and the bare fact of this 
multiplicity of "fools," should lead, by the shortest route, 
to a conviction, that they are a very useful, and therefore 
a very respectable class of personages. Those persons 
however, who are duly versed in the philosophy of human 
life, will find if not difficult to acknowledge; (sub rosa) be 
it understood, that the whole scheme or system of human 
society and intercourse, is built, on the folly of mankind; 
and that two grains more of common sense, in the compo- 
sition of the human animal, would beyond all question 
have ruined the entire concern ; that is, would have render- 
ed the physical organization of the species, unfitted for the 
world it inhabits. The whole state and condition of civil- 
ized society, at least, is built upon the single relation of 
folly to dupery; and unless we were mad enough to desire, 
with Jean Jacques, a return to simple savagery; (which 
indeed is evinced by a great mass of the whisker and mus- 
tachio raisers among us,) we must look with complacency 
upon this " sine qua non" of the social system. The ex- 
clusive end of all government, is but a sort of game-law, 
to keep " fools " (under pretext of protecting them from the 
inroads of unlicensed knaves) in a reserve for the battis, of 
the regular sportsmen. A community of sheer rogues, 
would destroy itself; like two millstones moving without 
the intervention of a material to be ground. A nation of 
" fools," would be devoured by their neighbors; but a so- 
ciety, compounded of the two, with a proper intermixture 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 201 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

of those who are, in their own persons, an happy mixture 
of both, is admirably qualified for the maintenance of so- 
cial order, and the relations of civilized life. Folly is there- 
fore, the ultimate cause of all that is brilliant and elevated 
in social polity, in the present system. Without " fools," 
we should have neither Presidents, nor successful dema- 
gogues, nor monarchs, nor Popes, nor cardinals, nor bish- 
ops, nor priests of the Oracle, nor judges, nor generals, nor 
even ministers of the Gospel. Were there no fools, we should 
have no mayors, aldermen, nor constables, nor police mag- 
istrates; or at least, if any such things existed, they would 
be constituted so differently from those, which at present 
bear the name, that they would no longer be worthy of it. 
They would be completely stripped of all the sublime and 
beautiful in which they now bask and rejoice; and many a 
dwelling house and drawing room, and the polished pillars 
in many of our citadels, would be divested of the better part of 
their gilding and ornaments. There would be no sinecures, 
and pensions, no revolutionary grants, no state governers; 
nothing, in short, to distinguish men from fhe beasts of the 
field. This, therefore, is the very touchstone of political 
science; and yet men goon, abusing the blockheads and 
dolts, as if they were a superfluity in nature, and a let, and 
an hindrance to the public at large. But the matter does 
not stop here — banish folly from the intellectual sphere, 
and the greater part of even the honester callings must 
cease, and be abandoned. The world would become little 
better than one vast tub of Diogenes; and its population 
would be as unaccommodated and as idle as the Hindoos 
or Hottentots. 

If the simple desire of fencing out the elements alone, 
presided over the choice of our habiliments, and nothing 
were granted to the folly of ostentation, what would be- 
come of ninety-nine in the hundred, of your tailors; ah! 
and your enchanting milliners ; and your mantaumakers? 
The folly of vanity alone, renders these trades lucrative 



202 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

employments to many worthy citizens; and without vani- 
ty and folly, the most worthy among them, would soon 
pine in the same hopeless obscurity as the vilest country 
botch. How little of the twenty yards of silk, which your 
wife, or daughter, assures you are indispensable for the 
framing of a decent evening levee-dress, in Washington, 
belong to wisdom and propriety ? and how much is dedi- 
cated under the names of gigots volans a dant, ruches, and 
furbelos, to the service of folly? How little of the stupen- 
dous and complicated piece of architecture, called a bon- 
net, or ladies hat, depends upon the capacity of the head 
that bears it? The helmet of the castle of Otranto, is but 
a type of its marvellous disproportion! Like the interior 
of St. Peter's at Rome, the first aspect of it overwhelms the 
spectator with a deep sense of awe; and impresses him 
with as full a conviction as death itself, of the microcosm 
of man ! 

With respect to another great essential of life — the eat- 
ing and drinking, folly is no less predominant. Not that 
we are insensible to the advantages of good cookery, or 
disposed to sit down the labors of our best hosts, as among 
the vanities of life. On the contrary, we believe, most 
stubbornly, in the truth of that "proverb" which teaches, 
that when God gave to man the fruits of the earth, and the 
inhabitants of the three elements, to make out a dinner, the 
devil, with a corresponding malice, dragged into upper air 
that quintessential spoil-sport, a bad cook. " He who does 
not mind his belly," (said Dr. Johnson, the Magnus Apol- 
lo," of all Church and State, maxim-mongers, and moral- 
ists,) "will hardly mind any thing" — and he once replied 
to a frivolous Lady, who teased him with the question — 
"Dr. will you not take a piece of this or that, or any other 
kind of pie?" "Yes, madam, any kind of pie but a Mag- 
pie." To be indifferent to what one eats, is not to know 
right from wrong; and is one of the few species of folly 
which is bad in itself; and deserving of universal vituper- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD/' 203 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

ation. We speak not here of the essentials of a good table, 
but of those numerous inventions for pleasing the eye, at 
the expense of the stomach — those numerous articles 
which feed nothing but the pride and vanity of the osten- 
tatious owner. Of the hundreds of articles, which go to 
the set-out of a formal dinner-table among the nobility, in 
Baltimore or Washington, and which occupy the entire 
morning of a butler, and a pantry-boy to display; how 
few, how very few, administer to the real comfort of the 
meal 1 Yet, were these not in demand, an host of indus- 
trious persons would be instantly thrown out of employ- 
ment. In another view, it would be a sore day for the to- 
baconisr, if mankind were given only to the use of a cigar, 
a pinch of black-guard, or a quid of his pig-tail. Drive 
out folly with her ruinous extravagances, and many a poor 
tradesman would starve. Again, the kindred shop of the 
perfumer, affords another illustration of the same vanity. 
It is not the necessaries, the Windsor soap and the tooth 
brush, that enables the shop keeper to drive his coach and 
to sport his villa. These displays he owes to the essences, 
and the cosmetics which are dedicated to the service of 
folly ; together with the gold and silver necessaries, exter- 
nally about his lions, that are any thing but necessary, to 
the beau, who cannot travel a step without them. But we 
may be called ungenerous, if we push this matter further. 
That reader, must be far beyond the average folly, which 
is the subject of our sermon, who cannot draw a general 
conclusion, from the foregoing particulars, and satisfy him- 
self, that commerce itself, would cease, with the existence 
of fools ; and consequently, that they are of the last neces- 
sity, in that complex, which is the pride, boast, and pros- 
perity of the summary of all perfection — the model of all 
civilization, the type of all morality, in the opinion of that 
profligate wretch, Dickens; Old England, or the sect of 
Shaking Quakers! But the utility of fools, after all that 
we have said, remains yet to be described. To the various 



204 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

departments of literature, science, medicine and religion, 
we must resort, for the mystery of mysteries, or the super- 
latives of human folly. We, however know, and so do all 
the intelligent booksellors of the world, that "fools" are 
the best and principal customers of the trade. Without 
" fools" there would be no fashionable watering places; 
there would be no circulating libraries worth mentioning; 
and without circulating libraries there would be no fash- 
ionable novels, no light poetry, no squibs, no autobiogra- 
phy—and tell it not in Gotham, no reviews and maga- 
zines I And without all these, there would be no authors 
nor booksellers ! most miserable times, indeed ! Soberly, 
the handsomest and the best books, in the booksellers sense 
of the word, are got up, expressly for the " fools ! " With- 
out the aid of "fools," both as purchasers and as authors 
too, there would be no embroiling of the sciences — no fac- 
tions in literature — no party politics — no angry polemics 

— no cantism: — yes, no animal magnetism — no phrenol- 
ogical sputterers — and no eternal disputes about the cur- 
rency — and our paper makers might stop their mill-wheels 

— and all our press-men, might immediately place them- 
selves under the command of some Lieutenant, who is ex- 
pected shortly to be drumming up recruits, to go and die 
most gloriously with him, either in Texas, or Mexico. 

Without foolish authors, criticism would starve — there 
would be nothing to sustain it — and we should only have, 
at most, a blue or yellow octavo called for, once, or so in a 
century. And, another, more interesting and affecting 
consideration still — were there no " fools," the majority of 
our journalists would be reduced to perfect misery, if not to 
total ruin. There would be no leading articles ! viz : no 
exciting slanders — no long columns, concerning captivating 
swindlers, and interesting cut-throats! No slang descrip- 
tions of the beastly chivalry of horse-racing ! ! Were there 
no "fools," we should have to forego the exquisite pleasure 
of perusing canting narratives of many marvelous fetes ; 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 205 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

and most enwrapturing gossipings, and pratings of the 
whereabouts of our neighbors infants, and wives ! ! ! Were 
there no fools, that sickly "MARLBORO HOTEL," in 
Boston, with all its charms, would never have been sustain- 
ed but one day, though under the superintendence of one 
of the most beautiful whiskered pinks of the "Order of the 
Garter." It will not be satisfied, to provide a public din- 
ner, for fifty, or a hundred intelligent persons, unless it be" 
allowed to prate its " great- great- grand- father's heterodox 
grace" over the articles, which it will then proceed td serve 
out to the guests, in its apron and shirt-sleeves ! ! ! Were 
there no fools, we should have none of the daily descriptions 
of boating parties — of rail car parties — nor of poney par- 
ties ! Yes, indeed, were there no fools, we never should 
have heard of any such starched, significant things, as 
"lords and ladies in waiting," and of "ladies of the do- 
mestic circle ! " 

But here let us take a view of another department, which 
illustrates, most strikingly, the importance of the existence 
of fools. Without such a class of personages, we should 
have none of the myriads of advertisements which adorn 
our journals ; there would be no poetic advocacy of lot- 
tery tickets, (legalized gambling) nor of that charming 
monomania, tee-total abstinence," which, however, Paul, 
we here recollect, says, "it has indeed a show of wisdom 
in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the 
body;" but is mere fleshly wisdom, and a disgrace to its 
adherents, as his language should be read and understood 
by all. Were there no fools and no advertisements, we 
never should have read any phrenological, nor even surgi- 
cal moralizing about the morning of life, and the delusions 
of passions; and were there no fools, there never would 
have been any such extatic conjunctions as the marriages 
of young gentlemen, with ladies old enough to have been 
their mothers ! 

Again : were there no advertisements, nor fools, we should 



206 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

have had no notices of regular tradesmen leaving off busi- 
ness, nor of the hows and manner in which we can save 
full fifty per cent, in the purchase of calicos! This mul- 
tiplicity of advertisements, in our "dailies," proves to dem- 
onstration, that Americans have become as great fools, un- 
der the sun, as even the English have been called ; but 
still, we ask, are we not, according to the estimate of all 
our wise heretics and demagogues, the most prosperous of 
people? What farther proof can be required, to show 
the superlative advantages of being a noble generation of 
fools? But, farther: if we look abroad, into foreign coun- 
tries, we shall perceive that an adequate supply of fools, is 
highly important, in a political sense, as furnishing the raw 
materials for armies, on such emergences as often occur. 
In England, and particularly throughout Europe, fools are 
necessary, to constitute their standing armies, which often 
seem to be urgently necessary to society, as the first ele- 
ments of their systems of government. Poverty and gin, 
heretofore, we know, have gone far, in raising the necessary 
complement of common soldiers, to be shot at, or knocked 
on the head, for the honor of monarchy ; for the Princely 
stipend of six pence per diem; yet, we think it would have 
been difficult in such cases, to have persuaded wise men, 
of comfortable fortunes, to have thus forgone their ease, 
and independence, and to risk their capital, in commissions, 
and often changed accoutrements, for the mere pleasure of 
strutting about in laced clothes, and fur caps, like our 
sucking lieutenants and midshipmen ! Indeed, it is clear, 
that in those countries, in such emergencies, nothing could 
have been accomplished, without the direct agency of fools. 
But leaving politics, for the while — we here turn and 
come nearer home, for illustration of our important sub- 
ject. The multiplicity of " fools," is the joyful occasion, 
as even every charletan knows, of the present flourishing 
condition of the practice of Physic, in all civilized coun- 
tries; and in no place, state, or province, is it more so, than 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 207 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

in this state of Maryland ; and in no city more than in this 
of Baltimore. (A large portion of this sermon, reader; 
was gotton up, and first preached, several years since, at 
the request of the learned and celebrated, late Dr. Nathan- 
iel Potter; one of the founders, and for a great part of the 
time, a " Dean, and Professor of Theory, and Practice of 
Medicine, in the University of Maryland." Yes, to the 
folly of mankind, (and we here speak in the spirit of pure 
philanthropy and philosophy, as we were in early life, made 
familiar with the Theory and Practice of Medicine, in its 
various aspects, and operations) medicine is indebted at 
once, for more than half the diseases on which it operates ; 
and for all the fame of its principal remedies. We look, 
upon a well stored apothecary's shop, as a standing monu- 
ment of human credulity and imbecility ; yes, the blue and 
pink bottle, in its illuminated window ; are with us like a 
pharos, shining over the sunken rocks of the owner's shal- 
low qualifications ! Among the rich variety of its accu- 
mulated disgusts, there are at most, not generally more 
than some half dozen drugs, which skill, peradventure, can 
turn to valuable account; the rest, are never better, than 
the innoccuous instruments of "fool" catching. Too often, 
they are either positively, or negatively poisonous ; at. least, 
when in the hands of that Thomsonian, and Legislative 
empiricism, which of late, has striven to set regular Col- 
leges, Professors, and learned corporations at defiance ! * 
We do not intend to state, however, that the worst quacks, 
are always to be found, among men of no regular diplo- 
mas; or among those, who disguise the implements, and 
ingredients of their trade, beneath the mystery of some 
stamp. No two things, can be more distinct, than the trade, 
and the worthy profession of Physic. The qualified Pro- 



* Even the il loco foco Legislature" of Maryland, expelled the founders 
and approved Professors, from their University, and placed in their vacated 
chairs, a set of young, green, mere mutton heads, when compared with the 
rightful occupants, and thus ruined the only ornament of the kind, they 
bad in the State. 



208 "THINGS NEW AND OLD/' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

fessor, administers, correctly, to the maladies of his patient > 
but the trader, or charletan, to his passions. The Professor 
acquires his competent skill, by anatomizing the dead ; 
while the trader, or charletan, thrives only, by cutting 
down all the living he can allure within his power! If to 
flattery and to slander he adds a delusive dash of hypocri- 
sy, and can prove his competence in medicine, by his skill 
in " culling simples;" we mean, repeating scraps in The- 
ology, his fortunes are made. Yes, believe it, the "fools," 
the million, fall to his share; and of course he thrives — ■ 
while our learned Professor, in the possession only of the 
patronage of wise men, who generally need but little medi- 
cal aid, starves by inches, upon their limited custom ; and 
sometimes dies, in disappointment. Thus much, we have 
honestly preached, on the importance of "fools," in the 
successful practice of medicine. 

But, let us look at them a moment, in relation to law. 
But, reader, you will respond, " why mention law? Its 
expenses, surely, are too enormous, for ordinary indul- 
gence." We know it; yet, occasionally, cases do arise, in 
which a wise man, (whom oppression, beyond a certain ex- 
tent, makes justly mad, according to Holy Writ,) must 
resort to it. But still, generally speaking, it is only the 
very greatest of fools, which rush into the labyrinths of the 
law. And, indeed, law, we think, has become little more 
than another name for gaming; and hence, as throwing 
dice is certainly the gayest mode of trusting to chance, this 
may, ere long, supersede law, altogether! Again, the utility 
of fools, in a different view from that we have above taken 
of it in politics, is unbounded. Without their general in- 
terposition between the rogues that lead factions, the latter 
would come into such close contact, that all questions in 
dispute, would be settled, one way or other, without any 
delay ; and thus the world at least, would lose the amuse- 
ment of a protracted struggle. And farther, without the 
particular intervention of fools, to do the dirty work of 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 209 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

politics, and to hazzard measures of which the most bare- 
faced villiany would be ashamed, policy would be cut off 
from half its best means ; and from all the applause which 
often attends a successful stroke. We all know, that this 
class of persons rush in, where wise men fear to go ; and 
are, therefore especially formed, by nature, for fulfilling the 
honorable functions of a cats-paw. Considering therefore, 
the boundless advantages of folly, and the corresponding 
bounty of Providence, in keeping up the stock of "fools;" 
it may readily be pre-supposed, that their condition is by 
no means without its comforts ; and the fact corresponds 
with the presumption. There is no one in life, so perfectly 
satisfied, as your thorough " fool." It is the miserable pre- 
rogative of reason, to bring us acquainted with the vast 
variety of our miseries ; and with the empty nothingness 
of the objects, on which preposterous humanity fixes its 
desires. The highest flight of human wisdom, is to lash 
the mind to a stoical patience of suffering; and, by bring- 
ing a conviction of the realities of life — of their necessity 
— and of their inevitability to screw our courage up to the 
sticking place ; and inspire us with only a tolerable resig- 
nation. The "fool" on the contrary, sees nothing of all 
this. 

And, said the Greek tragedian, " Folly makes the sweet- 
est life, and of all evils, is the least painful; " and Champ- 
fort justly remarks, " that Nature, in pity, relieves us from 
the load of existience, when the passions cease to blind us 
to the evils by which life is surrounded." Who ever heard 
of a u fool" committing suicide? or staining himself with 
any of the greater crimes, which originate from intensity 
of feeling? The French, before the revolution, had an ex- 
alted, but a false, idea of the philosophy of the English ; 
and that fact justified another of their prejudices respecting 
the tendency of the English to melancholy. However, 
good it may be, to be merry and wise, the union of the two, 
is, by no means so easy to effect. The Quakers, are cer- 
14 



210 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

tainly noticeable, for their sense and practice, of a safe 
taciturnity, yet, as we have before intimated, no wise man 
will deny, that as a community, they are the muzziest 
mortals in existense. Our man of wit, or sense, laughs, 
only when he has just cause — but the "fool" laughs at 
every thing — at any thing — at nothing. Our English 
ancestors, whose wisdom is proverbial, and is never called 
in question but by Jacobins and stark-fool innovators, were 
thrown upon professional "fools" or jesters, for their merri- 
ment. They were too grave and staid a race, to venture 
upon a laugh of their own raising ; whereas, we, their de- 
scendants, who are too silly, as has been abundantly proved 
by facts, to stir a step with safety and honor, s without close- 
ly following them; yet, keep up the circulation of the 
blood, by ceaseless laughing at our own jokes, and the ab- 
surdities of our neighbors. It surely then, is a most mer- 
ciful dispensation of Providence, that multiplies "fools," 
and confines within the narrowest limits, those who must 
either burst roith indignation, at triumphant villany, or pine 
in a state of atrophy, at the aspect of human misery ! The 
upholding of folly, is therefore in itself a virtue, as the de- 
nouncing it is a treason against Nature, and a sedition 
against the Legislature of Maryland ! He who disapproves 
of the edicts of the Legislature against the Regents Fac- 
ulty of the University of Maryland, of course cannot love 
the Legislature — he is therefore guilty of treason — and 
he who jests at the professed patriotism of Jackson and 
Tyler vetoes, which have produced nought but misery ; or 
who execrates the hypocrisy of Jesuitical professions of 
honesty, and purity, is of course, on the high road either to 
political proscription, or downright atheism ! To despise 
the scores of spurious teachers, many of whom you may 
find in your own city, utterly unfit for the business of 
teaching in any literary department — would be an outrage 
upon the feelings of the majority of this community. To 
do this, would be as wicked, with your unconscionable 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 211 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

"fools," as to advocate the Constitution in favor of the 
rightful occupants of the chairs of the University ! To 
laugh at the spuriousness, and to denounce the system of 
New Divinity-mongers, is to level yourself with the French 
banditti. 

The accommodating spirit of folly, is also observable from 
the fact, that the greatest ge?iiuses, are glad to take occa- 
sional refuge in foolery. It is also particularly worthy of 
remark, that the rich and noble, who, certainly, upon the 
principle of foolery, can command their company; seldom 
surround themselves with associates of distinguished intel- 
lectual powers; but give a marked preference to those least 
able to set the Chesapeake on fire. If, at any time, from a 
misplaced vanity, an individual among them, seems ambi- 
tious of appearing clever, himself, (as it is, sometimes, no 
doubt, elegantly called,) and seeks to open his table to the 
lettered, the scientific, and the deep thinker; even his 
choice more frequently stumbles upon some literary cox- 
comb, or stammering blue stocking pretender; or some 
wholesale dealer in solemn plausibilities, or worthy block- 
head; whose accidental acquirements, serve only to render 
his native folly more saliently conspicuous ! And there- 
fore, he who would get on, in the world of folly, must se- 
dulously hide from it his superiority. 

The man of merit, who makes an open display of his 
abilities, is, from the simple fact of acknowledged superi- 
ority, distrusted by the fools, and hated. Even the fools 
know he must be dissatisfied ; and therefore all the old and 
approved faculty, in the Universities of Maryland, were 
dangerous men ! Again : it is true, that it has not been 
the dull and imbecile, that* have caused any of the convul- 
sions and revolutions recorded in history, but that sect, 
hated of the gods, and the million — the philosophers* 
Their knowledge, with the fools, is disaffection ; and their 
science, infidelity ! Had there been no geniuses in France, 
in favor of liberty, Europe would not have groanedjunder 



212 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

the ambition of a Bonaparte; and that nation of fools ; the 
French, might have enjoyed the Bourbon monarchy, to this 
hour. It is not, then, in the least wonderful, that all the 
wisest governments lay themselves deliberately out, for 
captivating and securing the good graces of fools; and to 
give an illustration in our own, a Jackson or Tan Buren, 
could never have reached the presidential chair, but through 
the agency of fools. For the benefit of fools, indeed, the 
most pompous ceremonies have been performed — the most 
expensive feasts served up; yes, for securing the suffrages 
of the fools, speeches of the idol of the day, have been 
most laboriously conned by heart. Numberless gazettes, 
also, have been published ; ribbands, and medals, and sets 
of plate, multiplied; and state-trumpeters hired — for the 
especial entertainment of fools. If none but wise and hon- 
est persons were to be consulted, there would be no oc- 
casion for long and late debates ; no tedious and disgusting 
clashings of members of Congress ; nor even the usual six 
months' outrageously expensive farce of a sitting of our 
Congress. The " sic volo, sicjubeo" of any military chief- 
tain, would answer all the purposes of government ; as the 
same idea does, when you talk, since Jackson came into 
office, about having a responsible cabinet. What, we ask. 
indeed, is diplomacy itself, and the whole code of interna- 
tional law, but a deferential sacrifice to the folly of man- 
kind 1 This consideration contains the philosophy of Ox- 
enstiern's celebrated axiom ; and satisfactorily explains 
why fools, in general, make the most popular Popes, Car- 
dinals, Bishops, and civil magistrates and teachers. They 
sympathize with the public for whom they act — are birds 
of similar feather; and they, instinctively, hit upon the 
measures that are suited to the intellectual calibre of the 
million. They never, by the brilliancy of their concep- 
tions, disturb the settled order of things in their dead sea ; 
nor by putting their fellows upon the drudgery of thinking, 
disturb their digestion ; and thus force them upon this most 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 213 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

disagreeable, to them, of the functions of life — thinking ! 
The most stupid and foolish king, that ever sat on the Brit- 
ish throne, (viz. James,) maintained his empire in peace, 
for a long series of years; and laid the foundation for that 
national development, or, we would say, rendered neces- 
sary, that resurrection that followed; and thus paved the 
way for England to take a stand with the first class of na- 
tions ; whilst the knowing monarchs or emperors of that 
day — the Fredericks, the Louis the fourteenths — the 
Francises — and the Charles the fifths, imbrued their hands, 
incessantly, in the blood of their fellow creatures, and made 
misery for their subjects! ! ! 

But; reader, notwithstanding this our advocacy and vin- 
dication of fools, we are wearied and disgusted with the 
greatness of their folly, and must here come to a close. 
For all must perceive, that if what we have, in sheer 
Irony ', preached, in the foregoing sermon, be true; the fol- 
lowing Inference is the only legitimate one, which an Evan- 
gelical, orthodox Christian, can draw, viz: if we are not 
too wise — if we are really more worthy of the society of 
India, or China, or the Hottentots, or the Malays, than of 
that which is civilized and somewhat moral and refined — 
we may set ourselves down as among the most highly 
privileged orders. We may hold our head at the highest, 
and set ourselves unblushingly, in the high places ; and 
laugh to scorn, as honest fools should do, every one who 
presumes on any intellectual superiority ; and who has the 
insolent pretensions to think himself better, because he is 
wiser than his neighbors, and has got the start of the age 
in which he lives. We may decry talents, and science, and 
orthodox religion, hardily; neglect genius superciliously; 
put our "veto" upon all attempts at illumination; crush 
all chartered universities; and vote* consistency and con- 
stitutional legislation, a stab in the breast, at noon-day ! 
Yes, and above all, but finishing the climax, as far as our 
interest* and patronage extend, be sure to shut out from pre- 



214 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ferment, all manner of persons who are so unfitted for place 
or distinction, as our Chief Magistrate, or teachers, in either 
of the departments of Literature, Science, Medicine, Poli- 
tics, or Religion, as not either to be, or at least, who do not 
affect to be dow?iright — God-accursed fools ! And then, we 
will give you time, until doomsday, to chant that most 
mellifluous doxology: 

" What mighty difference, can there be, 
'Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee ? 
Our Yackkoop 's got his fiddle home, 
And we shall have a glorious bee ! ! ! " 

Amen and Amen. 



SERMON IX. 



JOB XXXII, 10. 
I ALSO WILL SHOW MY OPINION. 

Reader: — The "Book of Job," has always been consider- 
ed, as one of the most interesting and wonderful portions 
of the "Sacred Scriptures." The allegory which it pre- 
sents, in the character and condition — the prosperity and 
adversity — the almost total annihilation, and ihe resusita- 
tion of this ancient " Man of God" seems to us, to have 
been designed, among other things, particularly, for the 
trial of opinions*; all of which however, respect one and 
the same all-important subject-— the Sovereignty of God, 
in all the acts and affairs of the universe. In the book it- 
self, we are furnished, in a direct regard to this point, — 
with the opinion of Job — with the opinion of his wife — 
with the opinion of his "three friends;" and with the 
opinion of " Elihu." And since those days, we have been 
furnished with the opinions, on the same subject, of many 
learned annotators and commentators ; with the opinions of 
Biblical critics — Biblical linguists — and Biblical exege- 
cians. And we continue to be furnished, from month to 
month, from week to week, and from day to day, with the 
novel notions, opinions, conjectures and guesses, of the 
wise men, oi this " perverse and adulterous generation." 
That there should appear to be a great discrepancy in the 



216 " T H I NG S NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

opinions of such a variety of characters, is naturally to 
have been expected. But it is not our object, nor our duty, 
on this occasion, to examine this variety of opinions; and 
we therefore, leave such an examination, to be performed, 
at their leisure, by our readers. Our object, indeed, in giv- 
ing out this clause for our text, was principally, to awaken 
interest in the public mind, and a desire to know what our 
opinion is, which of course, it will be expected we should 
give, in the summing up and conclusion of "the whole 
matter," of this volume of "Things Neio and Old." The 
materials of which it is composed, merit the earnest peru- 
sal of every intelligent christian not only, but every mem- 
ber of the Protestant communion in Christendom. 

And for our accommodation, in these circumstances, 
reader, we have selected, and design, by " the grace of 
God," to explain and illustrate, the following passages of 
Holy Writ, viz : The injunction of God's servant, Moses. 
contained in ' 

DEUTERONOMY XXXII, 7. 

Remember the days of old; consider the years of many 
[or all] generations; ask thy father, and he will show 
thee ; thy elders, and they will tell thee : 

in connection with the declaration of Paul, in 

ROMANS VIII, 21, 22. 

For we know, that the whole creation [that is, the 
entire race of fallen man, with the earth itself, if 
you choose, sympatheticallay] groaneth, and travaileth 
in pain together, to be delivered from the bondage 
of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the chil- 
DREN of God. 

Reader: — The first part of our text, it is obvious, con- 
tains a direct and solemn injunction, to use every means in 
our power, to become familiarly acquainted with history. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 217 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

And the second part, by the great Apostle, may be consid- 
ered as announcing a reason for so doing; that we shall 
find evidence in history, as well as in the word of God, 
*' that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain 
together, to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, 
into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Our par- 
tial transposition of the words, has been done, to present 
the ideas to our readers, evidently intended by Paul, in a 
more lucid manner, than they are presented in our English 
translation. 

The works of God in his providence, or the history of 
them, have, by all orthodox divines, been considered as 
legitimately, a text, on which his Word is the comment. In 
Creation and Providence, that is, in history, we ascertain 
what is done; and in the Holy scriptures — by whom, and 
why, it is done. 

This, therefore, being our settled and abiding opinion, 
that the history of the " groanings," the convulsions, the 
" travailing in pain together," the agonizing struggles of 
our race, since the fall, clearly evinces the sovereignty of 
God, and the Unity of our race; with such a view, we 
cannot fail to consider history of the greatest importance. 

It will be our object, in the ensuing discourse, to review, 
in a transient manner, the great and leading features in the 
history of the convulsions and struggles which have marked 
the progress of our fallen race. It is no new idea, reader, 
to us, and to you, that the present is a convulsive and most 
struggling age. All the political, as well as religious, ele- 
ments of the world, seem everywhere in motion; and all 
nations, and individuals, appear busy, either as actors in, 
or spectators of the fermented and interesting scene. And 
wtoile new convulsions and struggles, are in progress; old 
ones are, with the thinking, and truly religious and intelli- 
gent class of the community, becoming, in a peculiar man- 
ner, the themes of conversation, and of deep and most 



218 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

interesting research. Yes, christian scholars, of this age, 
who have leisure, and means, and talents for this investi- 
gation, are daily, and hourly, going back to the ancient 
fields of the convulsions and struggles of their fellow men. 
They are examining the principles of those convulsions, 
which gave them birth; noticing the connections of all re- 
markable events; and some are engaged, from age to age, 
under God, in writing the lives of the leaders, in those 
convulsions and struggles. Yes, under the immediate agen- 
cy and control of the providence of God, all this is done. 
A$& who can refuse to rejoice that this is so? that many, 
even now, are made by Him, to take a deep interest in the 
past? In this fact, we find all needed encouragement for 
the future. We have a view of past events, in the history 
of the convulsions and struggles of by -gone generations, 
which establishes our faith, in the sentiment, that all the 
more recent and present ones are for good. But if one and 
the same cause, as represented in our texts, occasions these 
convulsions, "Remember the days of old, consider the 
years of many (all) generations; ask thy father and he 
will show thee; thy elders and they will tell thee; — For 
we know, that the whole creation, (with the earth itself, 
sympathetically) groaneth and travaileth in pain together; 
to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the 
glorious liberty of the children of God," how, we ask, 
ought History to be written, and how ought it to be read? 
The object of History, we here see, ought not to be merely 
the recording of facts. The " whole creation," the world; 
its ancient, distant, and widely extended climes, and popu- 
lation ; with all the varieties of situation and climate; 
make, when brought together, only one, great whole. 
Therefore, the events which have occurred in it, and whidh, 
under God, are every day evolved, and which will hereaf- 
ter occur, are all linked together, in one never-to-be-broken, 
chain. All the past, has had an influence in the produc- 
• 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 219 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

tion of the present state of things. And, the present agen- 
cies employed, we may rest assured, are operating Almigh- 
tily, with respect to the future. 

Yonder sun, which moves so gloriously in his splendor 
and magnificence, over the centre of our globe ; starting 
forth, in their season, verdure and foliage, in all the varie- 
ties of beauty and luxuriance ; and which thus receives in 
return, the voluntary homage of rejoicing nature, in the 
myriads of the forms of her productive existence ; is the 
very same glorious orb, which in yonder frozen regions of 
the poles, only just peeps dimly, and cheerlessly forth, from 
the extreme horizon ; and then seems to hasten away, as 
though shuddering at the chilling dreariness, which there 
enshrouds the whole scene. Just so man, in the civilized 
world, as he here stands forth in his strength and dignity, 
in his intellectual vigor, and sometimes, moral elevation — 
the searcher of the earth — the navigator of oceans — the 
admitted student of the Seminary of the entire arc of the 
sky — is the self-same being — the same in form, in mind, 
and in his eternal destination; as the poor, creeping, un- 
tutored, and ignorant Indian; who looks upon the little 
spot of earth around him, as the whole of creation ; upon 
the ocean, as a something, he knows not what; and ex- 
tending, he knows not where; and therefore he stands, 
gazing, with mingled emotions of fear and admiration, as 
the lights of heaven, alternately rise and set — glow, or 
fade away. 

Yes, man is, and always has been, the same being; 
whether we contemplate him in his strength and dignity — 
or in his weakness and degradation — in his knowledge or 
his ignorance — his highest elevation, or lowest depression 
— he is, in the light of both history and the Bible, still the 
same. He is, by an irreversible law, always dependent 
upon his fellow-man — - always exerting an influence upon 
the events and characters which are to follow — and doing 
something, either of good, or evil, which will inevitably, 
affect those who come after him. 



220 "THINGS NEW AND OLD ' 



OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

4 



We therefore see, reader, that the peculiar object of his- 
tory, is not merely the recording of facts. Its most inter- 
esting agency, in the view which we take of it, is to exhibit 
the course of man, in his various struggles since the " fall," 
to rise from " darkness to light " — from a state of barba- 
rism to a state of civilization — and from civilization, to a 
state of refined, intellectual and moral glory; or, in the lan- 
guage of the apostle, " into the glorious liberty of the 
children of God." The great utility of history, therefore, 
is to exhibit the principles which are now governing, and 
which always have governed man; to hold forth to our 
view, the end, to which, under God, he has always been 
aiming; and to point out to us, the course which he must 
pursue, in order to approach that end. Hence, to do its 
duty faithfully, to adorn itself in its most alluring dress, 
and to act in its enlarged and most appropriate sphere, 
philosophical history annihilates all the artificial bounda- 
ries, which separate one nation from another. Evangeli- 
cal, philosophical history, should treat man, whatever his 
situation, whatever his character, in whatever age he may 
have lived, as one great family ; though indeed, consisting 
of many members ; yet, as having originated in the same 
Divine source; to be always operated upon by the same 
principles, and always going forward, if he go right, to the 
same end. 

Still, we admit, that history may, indeed it must, mark 
down passing events, when and where they transpire. Yes, 
it must give us the names of the leaders, in the convulsions 
and struggles of the race — tell us when they lived — what 
famous and important actions they performed — what lands 
or people, they either blessed or cursed; in a word, how 
they rose, and how some of them fell. Yes, history must 
do more — it must go farther than merely to notice those 
great men, and great things — these telegraphs in the story 
of the convulsions of man. It must also take notice of the 
humbler characters, who have acted their part in the great 
drama of the race. And farther, philosophical history 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 221 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

must exhibit many of the inferior events, which serve to 
connect the superior together. Yes, all this, history should 
do. But still, this, as we have before stated, is not. its chief 
object. This is what we would represent as the mere un- 
dertaking part of the work — the gathering together of 
materials, for the appropriate building. Indeed, when all 
this has been done, the labor of the real edifice, is but com- 
menced; as order, beauty, utility, and its appropriate mag- 
nificence and sublimity, are not yet to be seen. And these 
indispensible characteristics, will not be visible, until the 
deep and broad foundation is laid ; the splendid pillars and 
columns of all time, brought forward, polished, and erected, 
and the work completed. Then it will attract, and fasten 
hold upon our attention, as being, indeed, a philosophical, 
imperishable temple — in one compact, complete, and most 
magnificent whole. Believe it, reader, the grand purpose, 
and great beauty, of philosophical history, are not displayed, 
until it exhibits man, to us, not as an individual, but as a 
race ; not as acting, in any instance, so as to affect himself 
alone ; but so as to affect, most powerfully, all around him 
now, and before him in the future. O ! yes, reader, history, 
which truly reaches its legitimate and lofty philosophical 
aim, will contemplate great events, as not merely occurring 
here or there — as originated and conducted by this or that 
distinguished leader; but merely as parts of that august 
series of struggles and convulsions; of events and charac- 
ters which commenced at the fall of man, in the beginning 
of time; and which will end only with time; which rep- 
resents each as exerting an influence on all which succeed ; 
though often unseen, yet never unfelt; which reaches back- 
ward in their causes to the first — and forward in their 
effects, to the last link of that grand chain which holds all 
the race in its embrace ; and of which 

" Whatever link you break 
Tenth, or ten thousandth, breaks the chain alike." 



222 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Arid what reader can repress the interrogation here — how 
beautiful — how ennobling — how grand, is such a view of 
the convulsions and struggles of the human family, and of 
their destination? Ages, have already rolled rapidly, past 
each other — generation has succeeded generation — but the 
tie, which was ordained of God, to connect man with his 
fellow-man, has never yet, and never can be, sundered. 

Those, therefore, who have gone before us, have con- 
tributed their influence to place us where we now are ; and 
we, in our turn and several spheres, are engaged only in 
carrying forward the scenes of the same great drama, in 
which they performed. Yes, there is not a great event, 
in the history of all the past, wherever and by whom 
achieved, which has yet ceased to operate, or that ever will. 
There is not named in history, a distinguished character, 
noted for his virtues, or his crimes, who has ever trodden 
this footstool of God; who does not continue to live, in 
either the good or ill influences of his life. "Saith the 
Scripture — He, being dead, yet speaketh." 

The foregoing, reader, are clearly Bible views, with re- 
spect to the Unity, of our race; and of course, the history 
of it should be composed in such a manner, as to exhibit 
and sustain, this Unity. If this be so, it clearly follows, 
that we should peruse history, with the same views, with 
which we have now shown, it should be composed. And 
indeed, we might conclude, that this would be a natural 
consequence. But here, let us inquire — do not readers, 
generally, disregard this great and extensive view of our 
race, when reading the accounts of the actions, which in- 
dividuals, or particular nations, have performed ? Do not 
the greater portion of even scholars, think, and speak, of 
the ancients, the moderns; the "old world," and the "new," 
as things distinct, and wide apart? Do they not consider 
the one, as beginning where the other ended, without rela- 
tion to, and as independent of, each other? When they 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 223 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

have studied the history of even our own revolutionary 
" struggle," did they connect it, in their minds, with all 
preceding struggles, as but a part of one whole? Have 
not readers, in general, rather viewed this, as standing by 
itself — as having been wrought out, under the sovereignty 
of God, by our hands alone, without aid from by-gone gen- 
erations? 

And, in their readings of history, where, ages ago, and 
in other countries, the oppressed has wrestled with the op- 
pressor; when they witness the displays of patriotism and 
valor, which those spots afford ; do they not look upon the 
victories there achieved, as belonging only to the time and 
place in which they were produced? And this, without 
reflecting, as they ought, that all these are but parts of the 
great and thrilling history of man. That those spots which 
bore witness of them, are immortalized, not so much by the 
events themselves, as by the boundless influence which they 
have exerted, on all succeeding generations. France, 
Spain, Germany, England, Rome, Greece, may have, in 
their turn, witnessed them ; and if there be any glory in 
such a circumstance, be it theirs, respectively — be it theirs, 
in toto. Still, we say, the influence of those events, paused 
not at the boundaries of either of them. It did not, in the 
least, decrease, during the age which saw them. The 
world has felt that influence; the human race has possessed 
it. To the world, then — to the human race, yes. even to 
us, belongs the influence of all those events to which we 
allude, in all their greatest interest. 

Do not the ideas, here, reader, which we have now ex- 
pressed on the manner, in which history should be compo- 
sed, and perused, naturally arise in our minds, as we thus 
take a view of the history of those great convulsions, 
groanings, and throes, 'which from time to time, under the 
direction of the Almighty, have agitated the world? We 
mean to ask, here; does not the idea, that the intimate con- 
nexion, between all ages and generations of the race — the 



224 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

idea, that the present is the combination of the results of 
the past — and that the future must be the combination of 
the results of both, naturally arise in our mind, when, un- 
der the column of light we have now furnished, we con- 
template the history, of the past convulsions, and struggles 
of the race? We think, and believe, it cannot be other- 
wise. For what, reader, under God, are the convulsions, 
and struggles, and throes, in the history of man? Are they 
not a series of experiments, which God has ordained, the 
human race should make upon itself? They certainly are. 
And we see, for ourselves, that it is with these experiments, 
performed under God, by man, upon himself; precisely, as 
with those of philosophy, or mechanics. In these last 
mentioned, we see, the operation of causes, in producing 
the great ultimate effect; and comprehend that effect, it- 
self, the better, the broader the scale, on which the experi- 
ments are tried. Yes, reader, the same principle will ever 
hold true, in this noblest of all philosophies — the Philos- 
ophy of Man. 

Great convulsions, groanings, and throes, the loud rushes 
of the hosts to their battles, are, under God, great experi- 
ments—experiments on a broad scale. Truly, God gener- 
ally orders that they should be originated and led on, by su- 
perior minds ; though far from being always good. And ali 
these are made to operate, by the combined effects of com- 
bined causes; which, in their separate operation would be 
unseen ; but which, the great, combined result, makes mani- 
fest. Whenever, and wherever, they may have commenced ; 
they are now clearly seen not to have terminated, with 
those, who immediately passed through them : but like the 
boisterous waves of ocean, when the violence of the tor- 
nado has passed by, to have spread, and extended round 
and round, and farther and farther, and still reached for- 
ward, to the most remote vestige of man. 

Great convulsions, in a word, reader, may be called the 
prominent and enduring telegraphic observatories, on the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 225 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

highway of man, through time. They are far raised, by 
God, above all that surrounds them, that they may point 
out' to us, the progress, not of this, or that, particular na- 
tion, but of the entire family of man. 

It is in these convulsions, struggles, and throes, therefore; 
and for the reasons just given, that we most clearly trace, 
the God-ordained-everlasting tie, which links nation with 
nation, and man with man, from fallen Adam, to the last 
of the species that will be born. It is from these, and for 
the foregoing reasons, that we cannot fail, it should seem, 
to learn; that the only, correct view, which history can 
take of the family of man, is the extended and compre- 
hensive one, which we have exhibited. It must present 
the whole family, as constituting only one great phalanx, 
without distinction of territory or time, steadily moving 
onward, under God, to one great end. Each generation, 
and each event, doing something, to help forward the same 
cause. The earth, as it has been, and as it still is ; should 
be considered one extended theatre ; man, indeed, in his 
thousand varieties, but still, making only one, great, con- 
nected whole. 

Yes, reader, these views which we have here, given of 
our race and their struggles, are the correct ones; the 
"groanings aud throes" themselves, are ' prima facie'' 
evidence, from the beginning until now, of their unity of 
interest, end, and aim; therefore, a regular and connected 
history of their course, becomes ineffably interesting, and 
important. We freely admit, as we have said before, that 
the convulsions and struggles, which always are considered 
revolutionary — evincing a desire, and design, to bring about 
a change in their condition, are interesting in themselves, 
considered only in reference to the times, and places, in 
which they occurred. Bnt they are no farther so, if uncon- 
nected, than all that is strange and marvellous, is interest- 
ing. How greatly, therefore, is this interest heightened, 
and rendered absolutely intense ; how greatly is the impor- 
15 



226 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

tance of these struggles augmented, and how do they arrest 
our attention, on our discovering that they are not distinct 
and separate things; that they are neither local, temporary, 
nor transient; how great soever their difference may be, in 
lesser points, they are yet, of the same origin ; from pre- 
cisely the same principles, dissatisfaction with their present 
fallen, and wretched, natural condition; which, by these 
struggles, these revolutionary convulsions ; they desire and 
design, to alter and improve; as saith our apostle, " to be 
delivered from the bondage." Yes, these struggles, are 
made with a view to throw off the incumbent mass of 
misery, which, since the fall, has weighed down man's 
spirit to the earth; and, according to history, they have, in 
one respect, or another, always resulted in some advance, 
small though it often has been, still, some advance, towards 
a recovery from their degradation, to the enjoyment of in- 
tellectual and moral objects, for which they were originally 
formed. 

Yes, we of the present age and generation, it must be 
admitted, move on, in the light of comparative freedom, 
from much of the darkness, and many of the shackels, 
by which past generations were afflicted. We, in these 
United States, particularly, have long been permitted, 
under the providence of our Heavenly Father, to celebrate, 
periodically, the precious and peculiar privileges of civil 
and religious freedom — yea, the privileges of unrestrained 
thought, and action, which we have been permitted to ob- 
tain. And as we, in the exercise of a truly Christian spirit, 
are permitted to go onward, with a buoyant step, and an 
animated eye; we can point to the struggles of our revo- 
lutionary convulsion, as the means, under God, by which 
our privileges were obtained. These, a great proportion 
of the race, to this hour, are not permitted to enjoy. 

And here let us ask, will not the benevolent and grateful 
feelings which the success of our struggles in our revolu- 
tion, so justly excites, be increased and elevated; will not 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 227 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

that triumph acquire an interest and a splendor, unspeaka- 
bly greater, when we perceive, in the light of our discus- 
sion, that, after all, this also, stands not alone, an isolated 
historic fact; that it commenced not with us, and will stop 
not with us ; that all past events have actually been en- 
gaged, under God, in preparing the way for it; and each 
preceding generation been active in bringing it to pass 1 
Such are the views of the ablest theologians, who have 
written upon this subject, and with them, we most heartily 
accord. We look upon the history of man, since his apos- 
tacy from his Maker, as one continued struggle for the re- 
covery of intellectual and moral freedom, which he then 
lost. Yes, that apostacy degraded, absolutely debased him 
— cast him down, to be, thenceforth, until delivered by 
grace, trodden under every foot; and he has been doomed, 
ever since, naturally to crawl in the very dust. Tyranny, 
and with that, ignorance and vice, have bound him in their 
accursed fetters ; and, as it were, in many instances, buried 
him in the dark caverns of the earth. 

But yet, thanks be to God, for he has never permitted 
the spirit of man's immortal aspirations, to be entirely 
extinguished. As a race, man, has never been permitted 
to despair. Hope, that heavenly boon — hope which comes 
to all nations, as well as individuals — eternal hope, has 
never deserted him. In his profoundest degradation — in 
his darkest prison-house, this heavenly visitant has stood 
by him, and pointed his view onward, and upward. This 
heavenly gift — this moral and spiritual principle, predes- 
tinated and bestowed by God, for the purpose of high at- 
tainments, has always been operating within the mind of 
man; and urging him forward to something better ahead. 

" Here, man, in his natural, fallen, dark-minded state, 
knows not what it is — this restless, undefined, evanescent 
something, within; but he has felt it compel him to make 
an effort; and though mysterious, it is animating, and 
though remote, it is glorious. His eye, therefore, under 



228 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

God, has ever been upon it, and his stumbling footsteps ever 
towards it. Yes, his ever active spirit has longed to lay 
hold of it, though he yet knows not what it is. In his low- 
est barbarism, man has clung to it as to life, though accor- 
ding to the Scripture, "he comprehended it not." 

But, perpetual thanks be to God, with us, of the present 
day, this is not a mystery. " The Light" that has broken 
in upon the race, from on high, has revealed to us what it 
was. It was none other than that which really is enjoyed 
by all the Christian world. They were struggling in the 
dark, while in barbarism, for the " Gospel Freedom" which 
we enjoy. They were straggling for freedom of mind — 
for independence of soul; yea, for intellectual and moral 
improvement — for freedom to range in thought over the 
boundless empire of immortal mind — to compass the earth 
— and be fitted, by an by, to ascend to Heaven. Yes, 
reader, this is the great cause, which, though comparative- 
ly but lately developed, has produced, under the decree 
and agency of God, the continuous and united efforts — the 
convulsions and struggles of the race, during all the past. 
It is, therefore, you see, reader, in reference to this fact, 
that we say, history, to be perfect, should be entire; that 
its views, to be correct, should be connected, into one, un- 
broken chain. Recognizing, therefore, this now completely 
established principle ; we will proceed to notice, particular- 
ly, in this connected view, some of those convulsionary 
changes, or revolutions, which are exhibited in the great 
story of man. 

It will not be expected, however, that we should lead the 
attention of our readers, back through the convulsions or 
revolutions, during Old Testament times; those we hope 
and trust, are already familiar. We commence our illus- 
trations of this character, at the Era of Christianity; and 
of the convulsionary revolutions its introduction produced. 

This, was in every respect, a most interesting period. It 
was the one, to which man, and the providence of God, as 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 229 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

exhibited by all prior history, had been preparing : called, 
" The fullness of time" — that is, the period, for which all 
preceding time, had been making ready. It therefore, stands 
out before us, with most conspicuous light. Not because, 
a New order of things, in the Divine system — different in 
nature, causes, and tendency, from the Old, was then es- 
tablished; but because a new and mighty engine, was then 
first brought down from heaven, and sent forth, under God, 
in aid of the same cause, which before, had made but slow 
and feeble progress. For these reasons, therefore, that 
Christianity, embodies in itself, the result of all preceding 
convulsions and struggles of the race — and because the 
series of events from that period to the present, has been of 
sufficient length to illustrate their connexion — it must be 
admitted by every reader, that it is a highly appropriate 
point, from which we start in our illustrations. 

We stand then, now, at our present view, in the light of 
that amazing period, which has been immortalized, by the 
introduction, to our race, of Christianity ! And here, let 
us ask — what is the first and most natural idea, which 
rises in the mind of an intelligent Christian historian? It 
is unquestionably, this — That we are here standing in the 
midst of an amazing change! an august, convulsionary 
moral revolution! A change, glorious in itself — but in- 
comparably more so, when viewed in its tremendous and 
never-ending effects, upon the human race ! 

Yes, that " star which rose in the east" — mild, peacea- 
ble and radiant as "the young child" to whom it pointed; 
that "guide of the wise men — the light," as it has already 
proved to be, "of the world;" yes, that "star in the east," 
was the herald t)f an event mightier in itself, and mightier 
in its consequences, tljan any other, upon which yonder 
sun, in its all pervading and dazzling glory, has ever looked ! 
That paean of angels, which sounded in the ears of the 
shepherds, on the plains of Bethlehem, proclaimed the ad- 
- vent of a Being, in the cause of man, before whom, and 



230 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR .EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

before whose kingdom, tyranny, and ignorance, and vice, 
were to tremble, and have already trembled; and ungodly 
conquerors of the earth — oppressors of their fellow' men, 
have, in many instances, already, abashed, "fled away" ! 
Indeed, the introduction of Christianity, produced, "ac- 
cording to promise," a wonderful change in the state and 
condition of the race. And here, let us inquire, where can 
we learn that such events belong to the race ; that they are 
interesting to man, whenever, and wherever he is found, if 
not from this — the greatest of the changes which man, in 
all his course, has experienced ? Where can we be taught, 
that, according to the eternal economy of God, the great 
end of all the great convulsions and events in the history 
of man, has been the redemption, the moral improvement, 
the progress and elevation of the race, if not in this — this : 
" Heaven's best gift to man"? And we are not doomed 
here to say, that this marvelous engine — Christianity — 
ceased to operate, with its effects upon those to whom it 
was first made known. No ; on the contrary, the influence 
of this greatest of agencies, put forth by God, in aid of the 
struggles of man, was neither limited, nor partial. But 
here, is it soberly asked, after all we have said, "For 
what, was Christianity ?" We answer, it came to correct 
the corrupted ideas of the race; to make them distinctly 
understand and believe, that there is one supreme God — 
a kind, a beneficent Father of them all, however corrupt 
and depraved; it speaks, definitely, to them, of an here- 
after — a state of future rewards, and punishments — a 
heaven, and a hell. Yes, and it did more than this — it 
came near to man,, as a mere inhabitant of the earth. It 
teaches him, that, debased as he naturally and artificially 
is, he is yet an immortal being; that he possesses a mind 
in the very image of his Maker ; that he is capable of no- 
ble attainments, even here; of even recovering the original 
image of his God, and the privilege of constant communion 
with him, which he lost in the " fall." This spirit — Chris- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 231 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

tianity — bids him cultivate, improve, and adorn. It com- 
mands him to " wake, and rise up;'' and proffers him the 
aid of the "Holy Ghost," to enable him to rise, and to 
shake off all the burden of tyranny, ignorance, and vice, 
and of his fellow-man ; to burst asunder all the shackles 
which bind down his exalted nature ! Yes, this, briefly, 
was the grand and holy purpose of Christianity — to fit 
man for heaven, by first making him all that he should be, 
on the earth ; and to furnish him with all needed impulse 
in a heavenward direction, which the race shall recognize 
and feel, to the end of time. 

And here, reader, we cannot but ask, (in grief, that it 
should be proper and expedient, in our professedly Chris- 
tian country,) have the heaven-declared purpose, and end, 
of the introduction of Christianity to our race, been chang- 
ed? Has its influence, at any time, ceased? Have its 
doctrines and duties, its promises or threatenings, been in 
the least modified or changed ? No ; the influence of Chris- 
tianity has not ceased. In itself, it is, and ever has been, 
the same. It sheds forth the same spirit; it teaches the 
same doctrines; it reads to us the same lessons; gives the 
same sanctions, examples, hopes, and fears; and demands, 
with Infinite Authority, the same worship, as when it came 
from the lips of its Divine, Omnicient, and Omnipotent 
Proclaimer. Yes, indeed, the influence of Christianity, 
has never ceased. Its glorious light has shone on, and 
shines at this hour, with one unvarying, never expiring 
blaze. Yet, we know, she is often sadly and temporarily 
dimned, by the devices of the accursed foe ; but yet, blessed 
be God, her light never has been, never can be, extinguish- 
ed. And now, therefore, as we see. reader, that the long 
existing cloud, over the race, has been, in part, rolled away; 
and we, of the present day, are permitted to trace its 
gloriously triumphant march, along the line of nations, 
throughout the earth, as "a pillar of cloud by day, and as 



232 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

a pillar of fire by night; " who can repress the salutation 
to the race, "Hail ye, who are highly favored?" 

The convulsionary revolution, which attended the intro- 
duction, of this wonderful engine, Christianity, to the aid 
of our "struggling and groaning" race, is long since over. 
The merciful, but yet, Omnipotent, herald, by whom, it 
was introduced, long since, finished his course — arose from 
the dead, and, in presence of hundreds of witnesses, as- 
cended up into heaven; where he is wrapped, in incon- 
ceivable, and everlasting glory. But the moral and Reli- 
gious engine, which he brought us — Christianity, as we 
have alreedy seen, he left behind him, in the hands of the 
third person in the Godhead — the Holy Ghost; to vindicate 
and sustain all its claims ; and to sanctify, and recover from 
the fuins of apostacy, all the eternally chosen of God; and 
finally, bring them home to heaven. Claim, had previous- 
ly, been laid by Christianity to the entire earth ; and she 
soon, indeed, after the assent of her Author, obtained such 
a hold here upon the minds, hearts, and consciences of men, 
as to furnish evidence, conclusive, that she will support 
that claim. The Apostles went forth, and proclaimed the 
" Glad tidings; " and a signal triumph, marked their pro- 
gress, in a greater, or lessdegree,-in every direction. Com- 
munities of believers, or churches, were soon formed and 
multiplied; and to such an extent that the " prince of the 
power of the air," and his allies, here upon earth, were 
soon gathered together, to take counsel how they should 
best operate, to prevent the success of the Gospel. To 
come at the best clew, which history affords us, of the 
course, they at this time, adopted, in order to circumvent, 
and paralize Christianity; we must here, pause a little, and 
take a look at the state of the most enlightened nations, at 
the period referred to, for a few centuries, which now im- 
mediately succeded. Though we may here state, that the 
first effort, of Satan and his allies, to oppose and paralize 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 233 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

Christianity, was made to corrupt and ruin the church, by 
introducing errors and heretical sentiments; which, indeed, 
after a short time only, had elapsed, did break up and de- 
stroy those churches, which had, under God, been planted 
by the Apostles. 

The civil history, of the most enlightened nations, at the 
time referred to, may here be given, in a few words, "the 
whole world," was becoming rapidly, the slave of proud, 
imperial, gigantic Rome. The story of the origin of Rome, 
might produce a smile — but the story of its rapid and ex- 
tended power, under the inscrutable providence of God, 
strikes us with profound astonishment ; and whose fate, 
indeed, furnishes the next great event, in the convulsions 
recorded, in the history of man. 

For, behold her, in the day of her greatness, rising up 
in her beauty and strength — the pride of the world — or 
rather in herself, the whole world ! Watch her, as she 
emerges from the dark regions of fiction — gathering 
strength, and elegance, as she advances; till she stands 
forth, in her bold and august reality! Yes, behold that 
splendid city, upon its seven beautiful and resplondejit 
hills; with its rich dwellings — its extended and eloquent 
forum — its noble temples; the loved habitation of the mu- 
ses — the home of architecture — of sculpture, and of paint- 
ing. Yes, behold her, towering away, amid all this her 
glory ; her boundless empire, and magnificence ! Go abroad 
with her, as she traversed the earth, with the sword in one 
hand, and the sceptre in the other; beating doyn and over- 
turning every obstacle in her way; overthrowing and sub- 
jugating every people, and nation, that opposed her ; and 
with unparalleled arrogance, inscribing her name, in "gold- 
en capitals," on the " front gate," of every city throughout 
the world! Go with her, in short, through the East and 
the West, the North and the South, until the grand object 
of her ambition is accomplished ; till you stand, with her, 
on the summit of that mountain elevation, where, the Ro- 



234 "THINGS NEW AND OLD,' 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

man empire encompasses the known world ; where the civ- 
ilized portion, as well as the barbarous, of the entire human 
family, appear to be the subjects of her emperor ! How 
exalted her situation? how amazingly rapid her progress? 
Oh, how stupendous, and fearful her power ? A Day — an 
hour, passed on! But look again ! Alas, fair Rome! that 
bright day, was thy last ! 

And can it be that the scene before us, is real? Have 
we not been — and are we not still, deluded by some visions 
of magic? No ! That " noble city," is in ruins ! The en- 
tire empire, has vanished — and the last ray of its glory, 
long since departed ! What a sudden transition, here ? 
What an awful change ! Rome ; with all her beauty, mag- 
nificence, power, and sublimity, has fallen, to rise no more! 
Yes, the splendid scene which we just now gazed on with 
such delight, has faded ! and nought, but one, dark, blank 
void, seems to frown, sullenly, upon our view. Is it not, 
we might ask again, reader, were we not christians, in an 
agony of wonder — is it not all a deceptive vision ? is it not 
all the effect of some mighty magic? No! it is not a vis- 
ion — it is a sober reality. Another great, revolutionary 
convulsion, has come over the affairs of man; and the only 
magic which wrought it out, is the same that wrought out 
all others; viz: the eternal, immortal principle, and ten- 
dency in the human race, implanted by God, to mental 
and moral improvement, and elevation to entire liberty; 
as in the language of the Apostle, "to be delivered from 
the bondageiof corruption, into the glorious liberty of the 
children of God." 

We have then, in this revolution, the second great event, 
in the series, which we have spoken of, connected with 
the past, and operating upon the future ; and. it is as such, 
that we would, for a few moments, now, dwell upon its 
leading features. It would carry us, too far from our main 
purpose, to trace the many circumstances, which under 
God, made Rome the prey of those who finally subdued 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 235 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

her. We know that the ancient republican spirit, with its 
love of I.bTty, its heroism, and its manly enterprize ; had 
long ere her overthrow, departed ; that the aristocracy, 
with its wealth and influence, had had its day; and that 
now, the dark days of its emperors had come. Rome, ever 
dissatisfied with her present power — and with an eye ever 
bent on some new conquest, had been constantly struggling 
to make her name synonymous with the world. But as 
her territory extended, her strength diminished. The spirit 
that should have accompanied her in her conquests, had 
gone ; and now, every step she took, was but to her ruin. 
The portentious cloud that was rising in the North, she 
saw not ; or, if she did, she disregarded it. The march of 
her power, seemed to her, yet strong and vigorous. But, 
nevertheless, at length, at the moment of God's appoint- 
ment, the evil hour came. The cloud that had been grad- 
ually rising and thickening, now broke upon her — and all 
her boasted power and glory, become as though they had 
never been. The revolution was total ! Like the moun- 
tain torrent, the barbarians of the North came down upon 
her, and she fell ! True, it was barbarism opjosed to civ- 
ilization — but it was also, the vigor of nature, contending 
with weakness, the imbecility, of refinement. It was un- 
tutored valor, struggling with polished cowardice; audit 
conquered — completely conquered ! 

On the ruins of the splendid temple, now, shortly stood 
the hut of the savage; and, in the place of the polished 
and the once noble Roman, now stalked the Ostragoth, the 
Visigoth, and the Saxon. Yes, these are the men, who, 
under God, as it were, overturned the world ; and such, 
briefly, are the circumstances under which they did it. 
Standing, then, upon the ruins of Rome, thus overrun by 
barbarians, is its whole story told, when we say, that it . 
rose and that it fell? Was the purpose of this great revo- 
lution, fulfilled completely, when the beauty of the city, 
and the power of the empire, had vanished under its infill- 



236 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ence? Tell us, was Rome built up, merely that it might 
be pulled down 1 Ah ! we have said, there was a link 
which connected great events; and we clearly trace it in 
this. The Christian revolution, as we have already seen, 
though its convulsion and struggle were over, yet had left 
its influence and energy still operating behind it. This did 
not, indeed, plant the seeds of lreedom and improvement; 
for this had been done by God's own hand, when he created 
man. But the Christian revolution infused into them anew, 
the spirit of vitality. It bade them germinate, expand, 
grow up, and bear fruit. But the work of cultivation and 
nurture, it left to man; proffering him, at the same time, 
all needed assistance. But how unfit, how totally unfit, 
for this great purpose, were the Romans, who then occu- 
pied the civilized earth ; the manner and character of their 
overthrow, most plainly illustrates. There never has been 
a character more manly and high-minded, without evan- 
gelical religion, than was that of the Roman, in the day of 
his glory ; and there never has been one more mean and 
degraded — more unfit to carry on the great cause of im- 
provement, than that of the same being in his last moments. 
We may lament the fact — we do lament it; but yet, it is 
true ; that this once noble race, had become so degenerate, 
that the safety of mankind, the continuance of the race, 
was inconsistent with their existence ; and, because it was 
so, they were swept away by God, their Maker, in the man- 
ner we have seen. In their place, now came up those, who, 
under God, though ignorant and barbarous, were yet com- 
posed of pure native materials; out of which great things 
were to be wrought. The degeneracy of the Roman citi- 
zens, had been naturally followed by the degeneracy of all 
their institutions. Government, had become a rotten tyran- 
ny, (as our own may, in a brief period) destructive alike 
to the oppressor and the oppressed. The throne of the em- 
peror, exalted as it was, was not more so in its power, than 
in its detestable and despotic principles. The state of 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 237 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

things, as then existing, was the result of that refinement, 
so called — we say, unlimited licentiousness; which had 
been refining, and corrupting the world, till it was refined 
to nothing in Rome, but the living image of moral death 
and putrefaction. There was no soundness — no founda- 
tion left to build upon. Their institutions, therefore, were 
swept away, with the people among whom, and by whose 
agency they had been established. And now, upon their 
ruins, arose the Feudal system, whose simplicity and ener- 
gy, were characteristic of those who brought it forward ; 
and in whose strong embrace, these strange conquerors 
were to be upheld and bound together. 

As 'we now stand then, upon the spot, where Rome once 
stood ; a melaneholy ruin, is not all that meets our view. 
The thought of desolation, is not the only one that rises 
upon our mind. Rome — and all that was Rome, have, 
indeed, passed away ; but it was to make room for better 
men, and better things — better, especially, in that view, 
which we would take of all great events; better for the in- 
terest of the human race. And in this view, has not this 
event an intimate connexion with the human race? Does 
it not clearly reach even to us, of the present day? The 
blood of those vefy men, whom we have just met in the 
ruins of Rome, now runs in our veins. Their history is 
the history of all Europe. Its inhabitants have been their 
descendants. We, ourselves, are their descendants — bone 
of their bone, and flesh of their flesh. As long, therefore, 
as there is a tie that binds an ancestor to his posterity — as 
long as there is a relation between a father and son — so 
long is there a connexion between that event and us. But 
it stops not here. It rests not with the individuals. 

The Feudal system, as we have seen, originated with 
these men. And who shall appreciate the influence which 
this system has had upon all succeding times ; and is even 
at this moment exerting? It would be interesting, to trace 
the minute features of this institution — its origin, and pro- 



238 "THINGS NEW AND OLD 



OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 



gress; and to watch its operations upon subsequent sys- 
tems. We can, however, but glance at it. Its origin was 
singular. It was not an institution that sprung up in the 
gradual development of mental improvement, and politi- 
cal knowledge. It was not an institution which statesmen 
and philosophers might claim as the result of their efforts 
to enlighten mankind. But, on the contrary — like the 
forest-oak, it started up, as it were, the offspring of nature. 
It originated without previous design, or cultivation. It 
grew without artificial political wisdom, for support. And 
though it extended its branches over man ; yet it was over 
man, ignorant, barbarous — but free. Its principles were 
energetic and binding. They were precisely adapted to the 
age, and circumstances which called them forth. They 
were fit guardians for the infancy of men; who, instead of 
growing up in power, in the self-same spot, where they had 
been planted in weakness ; come down from their native 
mountains, and broke in upon a people, who were centuries 
before them, in what gives a nation the character of refine- 
ment. Nor was the influence of the feudal system, con- 
fined to the infancy of those who established it. In their 
slow progress afterwards, from infancy to manhood, it was 
uniting and sustaining them. By its energy alone, they 
were sustained through all the dark ages. The dawn that 
succeeded, did, indeed, reveal better guides, and more re- 
fined institutions; but the principles of this system, have 
never all been done away. Even at the present day, the 
study of these principles, is considered essential to the 
thorough understanding of our own system of law. 

We will here go back, again, for a moment, to the ruins 
of Rome — and how different now, is the view before us, 
from that which first met our eyes? How is the mystery 
cleared up ; how does light shine out of darkness ; We re- 
peat the sentiment — a melancholy ruin, is not all that 
meets our view. We behold a manly and independent race 
of men, the materials of subsequent generations; our own 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 239 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

direct ancestors. We behold a system of government 
springing up, adapted to the age; holding together in its 
embrace, those interests of humanity, which, under the in- 
stitutions that it, superseded, would have been unfriended 
and deserted ; and by the energy of its principles under 
God, in some measure, surviving until now. The gloom 
then, that come over us, has passed away. The idea of 
destruction is lost, in the greater and more interesting one, 
of improvement. It is in these men, and this institution, 
that we see the result of the overthrow of Rome. Yes 
more — it is by the subsequent, and unceasing operation of 
this result; through the influence that it has exerted upon 
succeeding times, that we are led to connect the great event 
which produced it, with ourselves. 

As the votaries of science — the friends of literature — 
the lovers of the arts, we may w r eep over the fall of that 
once mighty, beautiful and magnificent empire. We may 
lament that she could not have been spared, to continue the 
ornament, and the pride of creation, as she once was. But 
there is a higher view, and a nobler sympathy, which 
should rise up, to fill the eye and the heart. It is that 
which takes in, and embraces the great interest of man, as 
exhibited by our Apostle. Rome has fallen, and we sigh. 
But look again — Rome has fallen, it is true — but the 
World, is comparatively free. Her fall, was one great and 
magnificent advance of the cause, of intellectual and moral 
liberty ! 

But again, the tide rolls on. The new inhabitants of the 
earth, as they may, more than figureativcly be called, had 
peopled the plains which they first overspread with ruins ; 
and under the influence of the system we have noticed, 
they had carried on the great chain of history, a few cen- 
turies farther. They had become a great, a wide-spreading 
people. By the vigor of their own character, and that of 
their government, they had emerged in safety from the 
dark ages, without any great convulsions ; and by the 



240 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

guidance of the dawning light, cheerful, inspiriting, yes, 
glorious, as contrasted with the gloom which it dispelled, 
they were advancing with more direct and rapid strides in 
their march of improvement. England had, indeed, also 
already been the scene, of a few changes, small, it is 
true, compared with those we have contemplated; but 
yet, they in some measure, affected subsequent events. 
England — and as we mention her name in this connexion, 
and at this point of time, we cannot but pause, and look 
upon her, for a moment. If there is a tie which connects 
together, and spreads round the influence of great events, 
how conspicuous, how important is the name of England I 
If there is any truth in the comprehensive view which we 
have taken of man, how does the name of England shine 
forth in this history of the human race ! From the 
eleventh century to the seventeenth, her history is the 
key-stone of all history. Her name is associated with 
every great event, which interested the great cause of 
man. The march of religion, of liberty, and of improve- 
ment, was, during this period, over the soil of England ; 
and it was from her borders, that there went out the influ- 
ence which, under God, was eventually to elevate and en- 
noble the world. Yes, if we would study the history of 
man, farther ; if we would watch his footsteps on the way 
to what he is, — England, and her history, are the princi- 
pal subjects for our observation. Her soil was the great 
battle-field — the only home of comparative freedom — till 
some of her own high-minded children, found another and 
a better, in this western world. Honor, therefore, and 
praise be to England, and her children, for what they have 
accomplished for man, and for the most important temporal 
interests of the race. Proud, indeed, in that view of it, 
are the recollections of this land; and happy are we, that 
it was the home of our fathers. 

But we return to the order of time. England, in which, 
as we have said, from the tenth century, the interest of 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD,'' 241 

4 
TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

history, in the view we have taken of it, is concentrated — 
had been even before this, the scene of a few changes; 
which, in some measure, operated upon subsequent events. 
The Briton had been subjugated by the Roman. The Ro- 
man, however, had voluntarily withdrawn himself — but 
it was only to make way for the Saxon ; who, having been 
first solicited as an ally, had rushed in, and become master. 
But even he, was not destined to remain the sole possessor 
of the land. Another change was to be made, which should 
give, and did give, an impulse to the people, whom it con- 
cerned. We refer, of course, to the Norman conquest. 
This, indeed, can scarcely be denominated a revolution, in 
the sense in which we have used that term. It originated 
not in any great national convulsion. It evolved no strik- 
ing result, like that of the overthrow of Rome. It was 
rather a contest for a disputed throne, — a struggle wheth- 
er William, or Harold, should reign, king of England. 
True, in its event, it was a change, and one that deserves 
to be mentioned in the series of events, as beneficial to the 
progress of man. It is from this event, that the history of 
England, and history in 'general, takes a more general and 
clearly connected form. Its result was very important. It 
was so, in the mingling together of the Saxons and the 
Normans, which it brought to pass — and in the formation, 
thereby, of a race of men, which has had no superior upon 
the face of the earth. It was important too, as it placed a 
man, like William the Conqueror, upon the throne of a 
kingdom ; by which so much, and such great things, were 
to be accomplished. 

In the progress of man, as we have thus far traced it, 
and as it displayed itself for a few centuries beyond this, 
unmarked by any great event; the way Avas preparing, 
gradually, and almost imperceptibly, under God, for another 
convulsionary revolution ; second only to that, by which 
Christianity was introduced. We have already gone back 
to the period, w en this instrument was set at work. We 
16 



242 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

have spoken of its great purpose; and we left it, struggling 
to gain the ascendency in the world. Fifteen centuries, 
had now passed away, since that great event; and many 
struggles of the race, though resulting in no marked bene- 
fit, had been here and there witnessed. But where, during 
all this intervening period, was Christianity? Where was 
that influence, which at first seemed to us Omnipotent? 
Man has, indeed, been perad venture, in a very limited de- 
gree, improved ; his condition ameliorated — but how very 
little, compared with what we expected Christianity would 
do for him. Where, we ask again ; during these fifteen 
centuries, was Christianity? What has palsied its arm — 
resisted its progress, impaired its energy? Can it be that 
the experiment has failed? Has that mighty agent, proved 
faithless to its trust? We thought, that when it came, 
darkness and ignorance and tyranny, were to flee away 
from its presence — that, at its sovereign mandate, all 
chains were to drop off; and that man would rise up, ex- 
ulting in the joyous feelings of conscious liberty ; and reach 
at once, the high point of his destination. We imagined 
that the light of Christianity was at once to spread abroad 

— that its course was to be one blazing, undimmed track — 
that it was speedily to be glorified ; and with itself was to 
glorify the human race. But how different the fact. Dur- 
ing fifteen centuries, Christianity had, indeed, been in the 
world; but where had been her habitation? What her 
condition ? Go back with her, through those darkest of all 
dark ages — the ages of religious fanaticism and persecu- 
tion. Watch her as she lay trembling at the feet of that 
worst of all satanic tyrannies; the tyranny of priestcraft 
and superstition. Turn your eye, here, and behold yon 
stately edifice, piled up in a profusion of magnificence, that 
distinguishes it from all about it ! Behold its vast extent 

— its solemn granduer — its wide domain! Surely it is 
the abode of power — of splendor — of some great one — 

-perhaps tKe greatest one of earth! The palaces of kings, 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 243 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

cannot compare with it — emperors, dwell not in such no- 
ble edifices! It is indeed, the abode of the greatest one of 
earth. It is the prison-house of Christianity I Yes, here 
in thick darkness, has this " Light of the world" — this 
pioneer of heaven-descended freedom, been confined for 
fifteen centuries ! Her bitter foes, have torn off her gar- 
ment of light, and arrayed her in sackcloth. The cheerful 
and animating sound of her voice, they have stifled. The 
arm which she reached out to man, they have bound down. 
Her sacred books, they have sealed up — and secure in the 
oblivion to which they think she is consigned ; they have 
gone forth, to pollute, and tyrannize, over, what she came, 
to purify, and make free! Yes, this was the habitation, 
and such was the condition of Christianity, for fifteen cen- 
turies. 

The other tyrannies under which men have groaned, and 
been crushed, are poor; they are nothing, in comparison 
with that over which the banner of religion floated, as its 
ensign and authority ! But was there to be no end to all 
this? Was man forever to be thus cheated of the benefits 
of Christianity? Was her imprisonment to be intermina- 
ble ? Were her dungeon-doors never to be dashed asunder ? 
Thanks, again, be to God, that it was not so. The six- 
teenth century began to dawn — a century ever memorable 
for the great convulsion by which it has been immortalized. 
Another deliverer of man, was now raised up. Another 
struggle, in aid of his great cause, was at hand. That de- 
liverer was Martin Luther; and that convulsion was what 
has been called the reformation. The progress of time, 
then, has brought us to another great event in the history 
of man — the reformation of the sixteenth century — an 
event, in its universal interest, and wide-spread influence, 
second only to that by which Christianity was introduced. 
We would speak of it, therefore, for a few minutes, under 
the same view, in which we have spoken of those which 
preceded it. If the great purpose which we have assigned 



244 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

to Christianity — the improvement and freedom of man> 
even on earth, and to give him a true knowledge of the 
character and will of God, and of man's own eternal good, 
was its true and primary purpose — and who, in our day, 
will doubt it? — how does this great struggle, which achiev- 
ed its reform, harmonize with the great view which we 
have taken of the human race? How does its history fur- 
nish another, a bright and striking proof, that great events 
belong to mankind; and that they all, in their order, have 
been leading on to the same result? The minute causes of 
this convulsion, it is neither within our limits, nor neces- 
sary to our purpose, to describe. The review which we 
have taken of the previous history of man, and of the 
leading features which have marked its character, opens to 
our view the great operating cause of this event. That 
review has displayed to us, the slow, yet constant advance 
of man, under the providence of God, while Christianity 
had been fettered and locked up. It is easy to perceive the 
natural result of these circumstances. As man became 
more and more enlightened ; as he felt the movement of his 
spirit within him, stronger, towards improvement ; and as 
he grasped the more earnestly, at everything which would 
help him forward in his course; the enemies of the cause, 
would strive, of course, to rivet closer the fetters in which 
they had bound him; and to shut out more completely, the 
light that would show him what he was. And this was 
what they did. The history of Christianity has shown it 
— for Christianity perverted, as we have seen it, was the 
great weapon which they have wielded. But though the 
struggle between them, might be long, it was yet certain 
that it must have an end; that victory must declare itself 
in favor of one or the other ; that those who had laid hold 
of, and converted to their degrading purpose, the great en- 
gine of freedom — Christianity, would either prevail in the 
contest, and thereby put an end to the hope of man ; or 
else, that man, spurred on by the Divine impulse, in the 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 245 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

last great struggle, would rise above his oppressors, wrest 
from their grasp the weapon of his safety, and, secure in 
its strength, march forward in triumph. The latter was the 
result. Under God, man was the conqueror — the refor- 
mation was the victory. We know, indeed, that other and 
minuter causes were in operation, to bring about this re- 
sult; but we are permitted to rejoice in the fact, that God 
made them all subservient to the irresistable tendency 
which he placed in the human race, to perfect liberty. 

It is, however, in the influence which the reformation 
has exerted, that we trace, most clearly, that it belongs to 
man, and to the world. Where has that influence stopped? 
What time, or place, or boundaries, have limited it? To 
what place, or age, does it exclusively belong? All sub- 
sequent history responds, that it has found no limit, and 
that it never will. The reformation of Christianity, was 
the restoration of man to mental and moral liberty — to 
himself. It taught him that he was capable of free thought, 
and of unrestrained action; that he had the guarantee of 
Almighty God, that he should enjoy these, securely ; and 
that in these, were his happiness, his true power, and only 
safety. The struggle which it caused him, gave a nerve 
to his arm; the result with which it blessed him, gave a 
courage to his heart, which, under God, has hastened 
him forward to that which he now is. We can trace its 
great principles, animating and governing all succeeding 
events, and giving a character of improvement to all sub- 
sequent history. But we need not enlarge upon this topic. 
The principles of our own convulsionary revolution; and 
the causes which gave it being, are too nearly allied to 
those of the reformation, to need an argument to connect 
them together. The progress of man, from this event, is 
too direct and plain, to leave us in the dark, as to the spirit 
that animated him; where it originated; or how it oper- 
ated. Such, therefore, being the origin and results of the 
reformation, it takes its place — a high and conspicuous 



246 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

place, indeed, in the midst of that great series of events, 
which we have been describing. Yet, great as it is, in it- 
self, it yet gathers interest and importance, as a stupendous 
part of the history of man; and as, therefore, being one 
great cause of our own free institutions. And he, too, the 
immortal Luther, whose daring spirit, and invincible firm- 
ness, first lit up and bore the torch of this revolution — 
whose name will be remembered and loaded with honor, 
while Christianity shall endure — how is he doubly enno- 
bled, when, in the universal influence of this revolution, 
we can hail him as the benefactor of the human race ! 
That title is his desert. Under God, we owe our present 
priviliges to him. His place is among the great and good 
of earth, whenever and wherever they may have lived — 
high in the pages of Christianity — in the annals of the 
world. 

The immense influence, which the Reformation thus 
exerted upon the human mind, was in nothing more con- 
spicuous than in the spirit of Inquiry, which it awakened 
and stimulated. Now roused, as it were, from a deep leth- 
argy, men began to look around upon their condition, gen- 
erally; to ascertain its wants; and to devise the means, by 
which they might, most readily supply them, They dis- 
covered, that in the sacred and all-important matter of their 
Religion, they had been wofully trifled with, and deceived 
by their oppressors. They discovered, too, by the result 
of their struggle, the animating fact — a fact which gave 
a value and a power to every thing else — that they were 
superior to their oppressors; thdt the force which had kept 
them down, had been but chicanery ; that tinth, ivas mighty, 
and as it had prevailed in Religion, would also prevail in 
every thing else. And they availed themselves of this dis- 
covery. We can hardly estimate too highly this effect of 
the Reformation ; the zeal for Investigation, which it in- 
spired among men — the resolute determination, with which 
it filled them — that as they had discovered and remedied 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 247 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

one great abuse, they would search out, that they might 
remedy every other, that oppressed them. Yes, we say 
that this effect, can hardly be estimated too highly; for we 
believe it was this, which gave the Reformation its greatest 
and most salutary influence, upon subsequent events. This 
spirit of inquiry, thus resulting, became, itself, also, in its 
turn, a powerful instrument. It went forth in every direc- 
tion, and set itself about its great work of undermining and 
overturning the old order of things. It left nothing unex- 
amined. In prosecuting its design, the first objects which 
attracted its attention, and those, to which it applied the 
severest scrutiny, were the principles, and institutions of 
Government. -And it was this spirit of inquiry, thus set in 
motion by the Reformation, and thus directed to the exam- 
ination and improvement of Government, which brought 
about the next great Revolution, which will naturally fall 
under our notice. 

The throne of England, had now been filled, for six 
centuries, by a succession of individuals, whose characters, 
as far as they are material to our purpose, may be written 
in a few lines. All of them, had striven after, and exer- 
cised absolute power. They had all been tyrants, differing 
in degree, indeed, but this only as they differed in personal 
energy and ability. The great principle which governed 
them all, was, that the right of kings, was not only, divine 
in its origin, but unlimited in its extent. Believing them- 
selves born to govern, it followed, that all the rest of men 
were born to obey. The voice of the king, in its uncon- 
trolled majesty, was to be the voice of God ; and of course, 
that of the people, was to be stifled, as unhallowed. Let 
it be remarked, however, that we say this of these kings, 
not, entirely, as a reproach. There is much in the circum- 
stances of the times — the low state of mankind, as to their 
education, and knowledge, at this period, to extenuate their 
conduct. But this was the uniform character of govern- 
ment, down to the Reformation — the power of the monarch 



248 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

supreme — that of the people comparatively nothing. And 
this character was carried out, to its extreme perfection, 
by that model of all tyrants, Henry the eighth; when the 
light of the Reformation, first displayed itself to man, and 
when the boldness, with which that event inspired him, 
first led him to examine its features. From this moment, 
a new scene of things appeared. Instead of the dead calm 
of submission, there was now a movement of the waters. 
Animated by the influence, which now began to operate 
upon the mind, men displayed at first, a sort of restlessness. 
In their periodical assemblies, which before, had been but 
matters of form, called to give a kind of sanction to the 
proceedings of the king; and to vote him the money, that 
he would have wrested from them had they refused to grant 
it, and dismissed when his sovereign power had exacted 
from them what he wanted — and his sovereign pleasure 
resolved that they had sat long enough ; yes, in these peri- 
odical assemblies, thus a burlesque upon free debate, a 
mockery of all real liberty, the spirit of Inquiry, made its 
first feeble efforts. The eternal cry of "prerogative" to 
which men had so long listened as to something harmless, 
and sacred; began to have a startling sound in their ears. 
They wondered what it meant The old charters were 
now dug up, and examined; and studied, in reference to 
this point, of " prerogative" New and strange ideas be- 
gan to be broached. Men inquired, in their minds, whether 
they who were most interested in the operation of any 
measure, had not a right to be heard, in regard to it? 
whether they who had earned, and possessed, and were to 
pay their money, ought not to be consulted in relation to its 
disposition? It began to be a serious question, for whose? 
benefit "Government" was established? whether for the 
single individual, on whose head, inscrutable providential 
birth, had placed the crown of power; or for the thousands, 
and millions, whom the same inscrutable providence had 
excluded from the throne? 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 249 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

In a word, the idea of his own importance, and of his 
own power, under God, was dawning upon the mind of 
every man, in a solemn, and animating manner! True, it 
was but a thought, at first — a thought, which they who 
harbored, could scarcely comprehend ; and dared not utter. 
But it spread; for the cause that was operating was in- 
creasing in strength. Similarity of feeling brought men 
together — where they whispered to each other these high 
thoughts; and they were surprised to find, that they were 
not alone. We need not detail the rest; it suffices to say, 
these hitherto bosom thoughts, soon ripened, under God, 
into united and.successsful action. Thus, emboldened by 
a common sentiment — urged on by a common cause, men 
gathered into one great phalanx, strong, resolute, irresista- 
ble; and guided by this principle of* free thought and in- 
quiry, \^jdely and more widely, extended ; they have moved 
onward freely, and directly, to the present day. But though 
freely, and directly; their course has not been altogether 
unobstructed. Another storm was yet to be encountered. 
What we have seen of man's history, as he advanced to 
the great reform of Religion, is literally true of his progress 
in the reformation of government. The natural tendency 
of the principles which he began to apply to the investiga- 
tion of government; was to display to him, in its true col- 
ours, the enormous tyranny, which he had endured, under 
the abused name, of government ! He discovered that he, 
whom he had honored as his king, had been his master, and 
oppressor; that "prerogative" was " extortion;" that such 
power was " despotism ! " And a determination to set him- 
self free, from such a yoke, was coeval with the discovery ; 
and his subsequent history, is but a solemn and thrilling 
narration of his struggles for complete emancipation. But 
were these efforts met by no counter ones? Did the here- 
ditary, and as they thought, the sacred depositories of wis- 
dom, and power, stand cool spectators of the destruction, 
which the principles then spreading were to bring upon 



250 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

their thrones! Did the self-imagined legitimate, divinely 
commissioned rulers of mankind, in this case, part with 
their time-hallowed sceptres, without a struggle? No; 
they followed the example of their great king, the Pope. 
They planted themselves upon their thrones, armed with 
every weapon which sovereignty, long submitted to, could 
furnish; and bade defiance to the power, that would dare 
touch its foundation. The spirit of liberty, that walked 
abroad, was, in their eyes a monster; to the destruction of 
which, every nerve was to be strained, and every power 
exerted. But were they to succeed 7 Was the great tide 
of improvement and freedom, which had been rolling on, 
as we have traced it, for centuries, and which had just 
rolled over and buried the palace of a Pope, to be stopped 
at the throne of a king, the servant of a Pope? O! how 
little did those opposers of man, comprehend th£ power, 
against which, they were struggling ! How little did 
they understand the purpose of God — the nature of man 
— or anticipate the consequences, which, in a single centu- 
ry, would be the result of man's struggles in the cause of 
liberty ! 

The power and agency of the human mind, however op- 
posed, under the influence of an Omnipotent, invisible 
hand, still regularly advanced, and gained strength. 
Henry eighth, whose reign is connected with the reforma- 
tion, only as the light of the latter, serves to make the 
darkness of the former, more visible, had now passed off 
the scene. The boy, Edward sixth; the weak, bigoted, 
tyrannical Mary; the great and singular Elizabeth, who 
seems to have supported the absolute power of the throne, 
against the growing strength of free principles, more by 
the sort of infatuation which she inspired, as a remarkable 
woman, than b'y her authority as a queen; and last, that 
profound and erudite scholar, James first; these were the 
persons, who, for the century succeding the reformation, 
had filled the throne, and upheld the degrading policy 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 251 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

against which the efforts of man, had, during the same 
period, been constantly and with increasing zeal and power, 
directed. The two great parties, though they 'had repeat- 
edly clashed, had yet forborne an encounter; but it could 
be forborne no longer. A time of collected energy had 
again come round, like that of the reformation; and the 
great question of "liberty or slavery," was again to be 
tried. Charles first, whose education and disposition both 
led him to carry the ideas of sovereignty and " preroga- 
tive" to their farthest verge, was now seated upon the 
throne ; and in him, the opposers of freedom, were to make 
their last great stand; for he was, indeed, the last great 
bulwark of absolute power. True to his purpose, he re- 
solved, that, at all risks, it should succeed. But freedom, 
who had hitherto been struggling, most manfully, though 
with doubtful fortune, was not left unfriended, in this hour 
of danger. A Pym, a Coke, a Cromwell, a Hampden, and 
other such men, were seen and numbered in her ranks; 
and in them, she found champions every way fit to meet 
the champions of her foes. Now, then, was the hour, when 
another great battle was to be fought between the same 
parties, and for the same cause, that we have traced 
through all history. The combatants were ready. They 
had borne with each other, long enough ; the time had now 
come, in the providence of God, when one or the other must 
fall. It was a dark and eventful hour ! But it was the 
harbinger of a bright day for the human race. The com- 
bat now was fierce and severe; but it was not long. The 
issue was the same as it always had been. Freedom was 
victorious. The collected wisdom and power of centuries, 
directed by God, was too much for the oppressor ; and he 
quailled before it, and tottered, and fell. Yes, the empire 
of tyranny was overthrown ; and in less than a quarter of 
a century, from his ascending the throne, Charles the first, 
the champion of supremacy, was headless upon a scaffold! 
There is a startling interest created by this last struggle, 



252 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

as it illustrates the immense impulse which free principles 
had acquired. We trace this impulse in the victory itself: 
but it strikes us more forcibly, as we see these principles 
overflowing their proper channels, as they subsequently 
did; and hurrying men away, almost to the very ruin-, 
which they were laboring to avoid. Yes, not satisfied with 
having attained their point — all on fire, as it were, from 
the heat of the late combat — men could not be restrained. 
It was at this juncture, that the radical, Cromwell, rose 
up; and, taking advantage of the prevalent delusions, 
seated himself in the place, though he dare nofc assume the 
name, of a king. This was one of the extravagances into 
which men were hurried. But such an oversight did not 
continue long. Having been saved from their enemies, they 
were now, in a short time, saved from dangers which their 
own frenzy had created. Indeed, the fury of this tempest. 
as it may be called, of freedom, soon subsided; as the 
events which followed the revolution, were calculated to 
allay it. We, however, look upon the restoration by no 
means as a return to the old order of things, as we have so 
often heard it called. The form of the government, was, 
indeed, restored; and we doubt not, as things then were, 
this was a useful step. It was a salutary, as well as natu- 
ral re-action, from the then dangerous extremity to which 
men's minds had been carried. 

But the spirit of the government, was essentially modi- 
fied; as the power of the crown of England, then received 
a check which it has felt, to the present hour. Men were 
not ripe for the extremity into which the flush of victory 
had hurried them; and it was wise that they receded from 
it, partially, and only partially, as they did. We mean not 
to say that perfection, or any thing like perfection, was the 
result of this couvulsion. If it had been, there would have 
been no occasion for our own. There were many evils left 
— there are many, still remaining; and whether they are 
chargeable to Charles or to Cromwell — to the revolution. 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 253 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

or (he restoration, it is impossible now to determine. But 
whatever may be thought, at the present day, of the char- 
acters of these two conspicuous individuals, we believe 
that the revolution, with which their names are associated, 
was a mighty event for man ; the influence of which was 
not counteracted, but only modified, in its excesses, by the 
subsequent events. Charles was a royalist ; Cromwell was 
a radical. Their doctrines were two extremes ; and as men 
fled from one, they rushed into the other. But both were 
dangerous. Charles was a tyrant — born and educated a 
tyrant; he looked back upon the long line of his predeces- 
sors; and the lesson which they all taught him, was, that 
the "king was supreme." The stream of freedom, had, 
indeed, for some time previous, been flowing on; but it was 
among the people alone. He who sat upon the throne, was 
above its current. He felt not its influence ; and when the 
sound of its movements first fell upon his ears, he knew 
not what it was. The rising spirit of his people, so strange 
to a king, he may have mistaken, and honestly so, for a 
movement dangerous even to themselves; and, therefore, 
felt bound, as the hereditary guardian of their safety, to 
quell and subdue it. Pity, therefore, must mingle, largely, 
with our indignation, at the character and conduct of 
Charles. Still, he was a tyrant. Whatever and howsoever 
his motives, which may apologize, in any measure, for the 
man ; he was yet laboring to defeat, the great progress of 
the human race; and thanks be to God, that he failed. 
Yes, more ; if his life was inconsistent with the safety of 
man; if it was necessary to the accomplishment of the 
great work of freedom, that history should contain so pain- 
ful an example, it was wise that he was brought to the 
scaffold. 

All danger from Charles, being then, now at an end, it is 
matter of rejoicing, that men did not long follow, where 
Cromwell would have led them. His principles, as we 
have said, were of the opposite extreme, from those which 



254 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

had perished with Charles, upon the scaffold ; and unset- 
tled as men's minds then were, such principles were peril- 
ous. The transition to them, was too sudden — it could 
not be, and it was not, lasting. We, however, would not 
impeach the motives of Cromwell. We can believe, that 
he was carried away, like the rest of men, by the enthusi- 
asm of the times ; and that the course he pursued, was an 
honest, though mistaken one. We, condemn not the char- 
acter of Cromwell; on the contrary, we would unite his 
name, with the names of the benefactors of mankind. For 
the firmness and independence, with which he advocated, 
and maintained, the cause of freedom, he is entitled to our 
thanks. For the courage and bravery, with which he 
wielded the sword in her defence, when the last great strug- 
gle came, we praise him. But we must stop here. As a 
subsequent leader, and a ruler, we are compelled to rejoice 
that his principles failed, for a time] as did those of Charles, 
forever. Yes, a true philanthropist, must rejoice, that his 
extreme notions of government, were abandoned, without a 
convulsion ; as such a patriot is compelled to rejoice that, 
the other extreme of Charles, was, with one ; in which the 
advocate fell. We believe that the true, and only safe 
course for man, lay between the two — and that it was the 
tendency of the Restoration, and of the events succeding 
the Revolution, to lead man to that middle course. 

Instead, therefore, of jarring and discordant influences, 
among the characters and the changes of this momentous 
period; we find all unanimity and harmony. The brief 
survey we have taken of the men, and the events; and of 
their operation upon each other, authorizes and demands of 
us, that we hail the revolution of the seventeenth century, 
with its attendant circumstances, as another and a brilliant 
triumph of the cause of man. The impulse which it im- 
parted to mankind, gives us delight — and the excesses, 
therefore, into which, in some instances, it hurried him, we 
must overlook. The evils of these excesses, were soon 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD,'' 255 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

remedied; and the good effects of that revolution, have 
never ceased. We read of them in every page of subse- 
quent history, after the excitement of the various events 
had passed ; in the better defined rights of ruler and people 
— in the gradual rejection of the absurd notions of "su- 
premacy and submission" — in the liberal and independent 
sentiments, which have since possessed the human mind — 
in the constantly advancing freedom of thought, opinion 
and speech. These results, as they gradually developed 
themselves, bear witness of this event, that it belongs to 
the great series — and more — they bear witness, that this 
revolution, combined with the others which we have traced, 
inspired that energy of mind, and independence of feeling, 
which 'created and sent hither the heroes, who achieved our 
own. And, in the series of convulsions and revolutions, 
the next was the u American ." The interval between this, 
and that of the seventeenth century, was marked by no 
convulsion. The abdication of James the second, and the 
accession of the houses of Orange and Brunswick, are 
events which come within this period ; and are indeed of 
material importance. As they show the immense diminu- 
tion of regal power, and the consequent increase of popular 
influence. In the circumstances attending them, we can 
trace the same great principles, which have run like a golden 
thread, through the whole texture of history. But the end 
had not yet arrived. The lesson of equal rights and priv- 
iliges — of what man owed to his fellow-man — and of the 
only principle%by which the elevation of the whole race 
could effectually be secured — though all previous history 
had been teaching it, was not yet understood. The op- 
pressors of man, had not yet learned, that the cause of man 
was Omnipotent — and they resolved again to give it battle. 
Severe, therefore, and frequent as had been the struggles of 
freedom — another, the boldest and the best, was yet to 
come. As if in direct anticipation of the accomplishment 
of the great purpose, a "New Country," had been discov- 



256 " T H I NG S NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

ered, here in the West, uncontaminated by the footsteps of 
despotism; whose atmosphere was pure and free. Dis- 
gusted with the oppressions of the old world — hither came 
the champions of freedom — and secure in the sacredness 
of their purpose, they here made a stand, from which they 
vowed never to be moved. 

But the eternal foes of freedom, who had ever been upon 
her track, that they might strike her to the earth, still pur- 
sued her. She had come out from among them, into this 
then new world, and here stood alone; and they imagined 
that she would fall an easy prey. But they were deceived. 
The scene had changed. Instead of lurking like a crimi- 
nal, in secret places, freedom had now a home — a country 
of her own. Patriotism was on her side ; and the impulse 
that reflection gave her, carried her triumphantly through 
the struggles she encountered. Our revolution cost them 
those struggles; and the result of it, forever settled the 
question, which all time had seen agitated, "whether man 
should be free ! " It told him that the time had at length 
come, when government should be changed — when man, 
under God, could govern himself. The foundation of 
"monarchy," therefore, was completely razed; and repub- 
lican institutions, the great bulwark of liberty, rose upon 
its ruins. We intend, however, not now, to dwell upon 
this event. Its causes and results, are too familiar to re- 
quire even to be mentioned in this review. We barely 
name it, as being the great point to which all antecedent 
movements and revolutions, have been tending — as origi- 
nating in a farther development of the ^same cause, and 
resulting in a wider extension of the same great principles. 
As we said, therefore, in a preceding part of our discourse, 
it stands not alone. The great view which should be taken 
of it, is that which looks beyond the narrow bounds of its 
particular time and place — that gives the eye a view of 
what went before, and what shall come after — and em- 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 257 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

braces the whole, as one entire, extended prospect. And 
when its history is studied, and its great features dwelt 
upon, we would have it regarded as a point of unspeaka- 
ble interest, that it is not our history, merely, but that of 
mankind; that its great arena was not our country alone, 
but the world; that we were not its only combatants, but 
it has occupied the agency of the entire race ! In tracing, 
as we have now attempted, the progress of the convulsions 
and revolutions in the history of man, and marking their 
uniform tendency towards our own, we have, generally, 
spoken indifferently, of religious and political ones, with- 
out distinction. We have, all along, exhibited the events 
which sent forward Christianity, in common with those 
which aided the cause of civil liberty. We have done so, 
because we believe them the same in principle and object. 
Ther* is a perfect harmony of design, indeed, between true 
religion, and all true civil liberty — showing, conclusively, 
to us, at least, that they originated in the same great source 
of Infinite benevolence. As we have before intimated, 
often, in our Theological reviews, free principles of gov- 
ernment, liberty of opinion, speech and action, upon our 
rights and duties, are but a part, a wider extension of that 
stupendous, beautiful and sublime plan, which was an- 
nounced in Judea, on the birth-day of our Saviour. We 
delight to dwell with adoration upon the idea, that these 
principles come from God, our maker; and that civil and 
religious liberty, are to walk hand in hand, until the entire 
race have recovered that enjoyment of them, which was 
lost by the apostacy of their covenanted, federal head. 
Christianity, therefore, was only a revival in man, and de- 
velopment of principles long stifled and concealed ; and 
the purpose which it was designed to accomplish, was to 
help man to a deliverance from the degradation and thral- 
dom of sin. The battle, to be fought with the powers of 
darkness, being foreseen to be altogether beyond the pow- 
ers of the fallen creature, man, his benignant and merciful 
17 



258 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

Creator, sends Christianity to save him from the perpetual 
and final triumph of his foes. And the eternal principles, 
in man, of freedom, now united with Christianity, in a 
common cause ; and ever since, they have been fellow-la- 
borers, going onward, and will still move onward, until 
they have completely enlightened and emancipated this 
enslaved race. We will smile, therefore, at the old and 
obsolete story of the "divine right of kings;" though at 
the expense of millions of advocates for their far-famed 
Holy Alliances, at the present hour. And we will smile no 
less, at the claim of any man, to a " Divine right" to exer- 
cise such a power over his fellow man, as that here referred 
to. Christianity, indeed, authorizes us to ridicule the idea, 
that any of the artificial forms of government come from 
the hands, or can claim the special sanction of the "only 
Ruler of the universe ! " Still, we insist upon it, that there 
is one sense in which we can, and must, believe in this 
Divine origin of government. This is when we contem- 
plate them, as growing out of, supporting, and being sup- 
ported by, the principles of revealed religion; when we 
feel, that as individuals, as citizens, and as christians, we 
are the same — born to the same privileges, and duties, 
here on the earth ; and destined to the same immortality. 
In this view of government, we see, indeed the hand of the 
"King of kings; " and learn, of course, that the charter of 
our religious, political, and social liberty, comes from God. 
There is, we think, great satisfaction to be gathered, 
from the view, which we have taken of the convulsions in 
the story of man. It lights up, and gives interest, to the 
whole history of man — that history, without it, would, in 
many parts, be but dark and gloomy. It shows us the 
great fountain of moral improvement, and enjoyment, as it 
flowed "fast by the oracles of God." There, was its great 
source, and thence did it issue. It has been constantly flow- 
ing on through all time. Ingrate man, has, indeed, often 
endeavored to obstruct its course.- Tyrants have endeav- 






"THINGS NEW AND OLD,'* 259 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

ored to arrest its progress. But what have they effected? 
They have indeed, built up their barriers, lofty and strong; 
and thought that their purpose was accomplished. But 
though they had impeded for the moment, they had not ar- 
rested the mighty current. The stream was flowing on, 
rising higher and higher; gathering its forces, against that 
which opposed it; till, at length, it reached the highest 
point, of the elevation of its opposition ; and then, furi- 
ously, and in a moment, it dashed over its bounds — and 
the barriers and their projectors, were together, swept 
away into destruction — and after a passing moment you 
might have looked in vain, in cases referred to, for a ves- 
tige of their work ! But again the stream rolled on, faster 
and with more force, from the very resistance which it had 
encountered and overcome; until another barrier was erect- 
ed, and which, again, in like manner, it swept away. Such 
has been the course of moral liberty — such has been the 
history of man. The silent gathering of the waters, have 
been, the "seeming dark places — the habitations of cruel- 
ty." The loud rushes of their overflow, have been the 
great convulsions. Such views as these, we think, give 
history its true aspect; the dark parts, have only been pre- 
parations for the bright — and all for one and the same 
purpose. The very opposition of tyrants, under God, has 
been made to give an impulse to freedom, and helped man 
forward. 

To conclude — the view, which we have here taken, of 
the convulsions and revolutions in the history of man, fur- 
nishes matter of useful reflection, as well as pleasing, re- 
specting our own. We can invite the present generation, 
whose countenances are irradiated by the fair light of free- 
dom, to stand upon the eminence which Providence has 
assigned them, and there take a retrospective view of their 
race. They will find in all other men, fellow laborers, and 
brethren; partners in a common struggle, pressing forward 
to a common end. They will learn, from the scene, to re- 



260 "THINGS NEW AND OLD," 

OR EVANGELICAL BONUS. 

press the vain thought, that would impute to their own 
revolution alone, the liberty they enjoy. They will learn 
their indebtedness to past generations. The fathers of our 
revolution, were, indeed, noble men; they were expanded, 
high souled men — never to be forgotten " Names.' 1 But 
they stand not alone, the sole pillars of freedom. They 
were but the associates of the great leaders of preceding 
convulsions. They took up the cause where others left 
it — and to these, therefore, with them, is the honor due. 
And, again : those, too, who may sometimes despond, 
with respect to man's cause; who may, peradventure, im- 
agine that he may yet fall from the height he has already 
reached; and thus finally fail oi arriving at his predestined 
moral elevation; may gather, we think, increasing en- 
couragement from a view of the facts which we have here 
displayed. Such will discover, that freedom — the "lib- 
erty of the children of God," which was ordained for man, 
by his Creator, is not the mere bubble of a moment, blown 
up to deceive, and burst and disappear. Such will learn, 
that this ''liberty," is designed to be the glorious result of 
all the struggles of man; and as he has, under God, been 
striving for it in all ages ; he will hold on his way, and 
finally triumph. Let us, then, reader, look upon the his- 
tory of the convulsions and struggles of our race, with per- 
fect confidence and satisfaction ; with an unshakeable faith 
in the "promised reign of righteousness and peace;" of 
the ultimate, triumphant enjoyment here upon earth, of 
" the glorious liberty of the children of God." For will 
the sun, think you, which has been so long behind the 
clouds, which partially obscured his rising; when he has 
just beamed forth, in all his brilliancy and glory above 
them ; will it go back down again, in the east, whence it 
arose, and leave us all in darkness? I tell you nay; the 
biography of God, tells you nay; God himself, tells you 
nay; but on the contrary, "that sun" shall roll onward, to 
its meridian splendor, in one bright and unclouded course; 



"THINGS NEW AND OLD," 261 

TO DIVERSE, NOTABLE FOOLS AND ASSES. 

and after it shall have witnessed the civil, moral, and reli- 
gious freedom, the illumination and the purification of the 
entire population of this globe ; it shall then descend, and 
sink, most placidly and sublimely, in the west, when "time 
shall be no more.'- 7 Yes. such is the united testimony of 
the biography of God, and "His Holy Word." 

Now, to the ever blessed God, our heavenly Father, be 
glory and praise, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
Christ, forever and ever. 

Amen and Amen. 



To Readers. — Although the author of this volume, has been confined 
by a dangerous illness, ever since it was put to press, and, of course, ren- 
dered unable to correct the proof-sheets; yet the publisher is now author- 
ized to state, that excepting typographical errors in orthography and punc- 
tuation, the sentiments intended to be expressed, are fairly presented, in all 
cases but one ; and this is to be found on the one hundred and seventh page, 
ninth line from the bottom; instead of reading "men were at that time, 
ignorant of the use of iron and brass" — read: "men were, at that time, in 
a state of infancy and ignorance." 

And the following should have been added to close I he paragraph, page 
184, respecting the "failure of our 'Missions.'" "Ah!" said my late 
venerable and truly learned and pious spiritual father, Rev. Doct. Nathan 
Perkins, of Hartford, Conn., at my last interview with him, in 18:'G, tears 
at the time furrowing both his cheeks, " our plan of operations is not Apos- 
tolic — it contains too much of the ' policy of the princes of this world; ' 
and I have reason to fear, it will not be finally owned and blessed, by the 
great Head of the church. I do not like to be a prophet of ill ; but I am 
compelled to prophecy, that the American churches will be overrun and 
broken up, within a very few years." His remarks were so striking and 
thrilling to us, that we then entered them on our journal. A. 



PUBLISHED BY 

till! 

TOMILMTIO), EffiS, 

AND SOLD WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, ON THE MOST 
REASONABLE TERMS. 

For Schools, Academies, and Colleges, 

THE ANALYTICAL FRIMER. 
B i John U. Parsons. 
Containing the elementary part of the Analytical Spelling Book, 
on the plan of G mil's Lesson System of Glasgow ; by which all the 
powers of the mind, are called into exercise; the child learns to read 
intelligibly, even from the first lesson; and becomes interested in the 
connection of letters with the simple ideas, instead of the dull mo- 
notony of repeating sounds, for weeks or months, without attaching 
any meaning to them. 

THE ANALYTICAL SPELLING BOOK. 
Ry John XJ. Parsons, laie Principal of the Indian Teachers' Seminary. 
The principal original feature of this hook, is the Analogic; 1 clas- 
sification of the words, as illustrated in the last two pag"s of the 
Primer. The author, with great labor, has gone through the language, 
and arranged it in tables, illustrating all the variations in etymology 
and prosody — making it not merely a spelling book, but practical 
grammarian and compositor. 

From S. Putnam, Esq., Principal of the English and Classical Hall, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Dear Sir: — I have been patiently waiting for the Analytical Spel- 
ling Book, which has at last, arrived, and about thirty* of them are 
now in the hands of my pupils. I have long considered a work of 
this kind, a desideratum in nur schools. It ne< i\s no recommendation 
but to be known, to be universal^ adopted, With my pieseirl views, 
I shall feel that I am doing an essential service to the jourli of our 
land, by using my feeble influence to extend its cirri: I t<n among the 
teachers of my acquaintance. Yours, most respectfully, 

S. PUTNAM. 



2 BOOKS PUBLISHED 

From Rev. S. It. Hall, author of Lectures on School Keeping, and Prin- 
cipal of the Teachers' Seminary, Andover. Miss. 
I hive eximined with considerable attention, the principles of teach- 
ing orthography, as developed in the Analytical Spelling Book by the 
Rev. John U. Parsons. I think ihis system better adapted to the im- 
provement'and thorough progress of the scholar, than any one with 
which I am acquainted. The .Spelling B >ok is generally accurate, 
and must be highly useful in our schools generally. S. K. HALL. 

YOUTH'S BOOK ON THE MIND. 

For the younger classes in Mental Philosophy, by Cyril Pearl, Principal 
of the Buckfield Hinh School. 
This book is designed as introductory to the study of Professor Up- 
faam's valuable work on Mentd Philosophy, and should be studied in 
all our common schools. Highly commendatory notices . of it, have 
appeared in all our most reapecteble papers in New England and New 
York, which we have not room here to iusert. 

From the Rev. Adam Wilson, editor of Zion's Advocate. 
We noticed this book some time since, as then in the press. It is 
now published, and for sale by Mr. Hyde. Mr. Pearl is a practical 
teacher; has devoted much time to the science, as well as to the work 
of teaching. He has adapted his b">ok to the capacity of youth; it is 
also just the book any one needs, who accounts himself a beginner in 
the study of the mind. It is a volume of only 156 pages, and will be 
studied by hundreds who would be repelled by heavier works. 

WAKTIEN'S GEOGRAFHT, 

A systematic view of Geography, ivilh an Atlas, for Academies and Schools, 
by William Warren, Principal of the Winhdam High School. 
Of the numerous highly respectable notices of this work, which 
have been received, we have room only for the three following 

From the Christian Mirror, 

As we were meditating a review of this book, the following came 
to us, by mail, which we believe to be from a person entirely disinter- 
ested, except as a member, of the body politic, who, of course, has his 
own share of enjoyment in every improvement which promises good 
to the community. In its commendation of the new Geography of 
Mr. Warren, we heartily concur. 

Ma. Cummfngs: —I wish, through your paper, to call the attention 
of school committees and school teachers, to a System of Geography 
for the use of schools, which is just out of press. It. bears on the title 
page, the name of Wjlliam Warren, Principal of Windham High 
School, as author. 

An examination of it, will, I doubt not, bring many to the result at 
which I have Arrived, that the book is better adapted for the use of our 
schools, than, any of its predecessors. With the text books in use 
heretofore, from Morse's and Cutnmings', onward, I have been pretty 
well acquainted, as scholir, teieher, an I member of school commit- 
tees. They all bear the same objectionable featuies, and some of the 
latest h.ive these features in greatest prominence. They contain too 
much descriptive and historical matter, which is never well learned, 
and ten:l< only to give a superficial chaiacU'r to the study and recita- 
tions. They are minute, beyond all reasonable bounds, crowding 



BY WILLIAM HYDK. 3 

upon the scholar's attention, the names of all the little hamlets, hil- 
locks, am! mountain streams, in the land. They contain a large 
amount of statistical and other such matter, very convenient in a book 
of reference, but out of place in a text-hm k lor common schools. 

I judge from Mr. Warren's book, that ho has felt in his own school, 
the objections which lie against the text-hooks in use, as have many 
other teacher--. 1 feel obliged to him, for the effort he has made, to 
supply .the deficiency. It is, I think, a succ< ssful etlbi t. 

This three-fold division of the subject, giving " a General. Particu- 
lar, and Miscellaneous view of the World," is a convenient one, and 
goes, so far, to produce clear and systematic views. The topics pre- 
sented, both in the general view of the globe, and in the survey of in- 
dividual countries, are such as show not only familiarity with the or- 
dinary compass of Geographical knowledge, but — what is more rare 

— discrimination in his selections. He presents, in the case of each 
country, its position, chief towns, mountains, rivers, and productions; 
its government, religion, education, and morals. He does this clearly, 
concisely, and then stops. " The indispensable thing,*' says a quaint 
writer, " is to know when to get done." No where is the exercise 
of such knowledge more important, than in a text book for common 
schools. The book we are upon, expibits it. The author says enough, 
and does not say too much. He leaves on the mind of the scholars, a 
clear, well defineel impression, and does not confuse him by a heap of 
talk. The whole book — if we except a few pages in the latter part 

— seems designed to be learned by the pupil, not " for substance of 
doctrine." as the too prevalent mode now is, but sentence for sentence, 
and word for word. Learned thus, it will give him a clearer and bet- 
ter outline of Geographical science, than is ordinarily attained. The 
filling- up of that outline, may be gained with greater advantage and 
completeness, as well as with less injury to the scholar forming habits 
of patient, thorough study, from other sources. I have taken pleasure 
in observing that, both in the second and third divisions of the work 
the facts stated, and scenes presented, are given in such manner, and* 
with such degree of fullness, as to open the way for oral lectures in 
connexion with recitation, if the teacher is prepared to give them, 
while at the same time they awaken the scholar's interest, and suggest 
a path for his inquiries. 

Let me add, that the peculiar features of Mr. Warren's book, while 
they make it a good text book for all our schools, render it especially 
suitable for those where — the scholars being assembled from three to 
six months only a year — perspicuity and brevity are more important. 

Your correspondent writes, without knowledge of publisher or 
author, simply from his own conviction of the merits of the work. It 
is just such a work, as, in his own days of teaching, he would have 
given much to find. He asks for it an examination. B. 

From B. C. Fernald, Esq., Principal of the Union School, Portland, Me. 

Mr. Hyde: — I have examined Warren's Geography and Atlas, 
and I know of no better Way of expressing my approbation, than by 
stating that I have for some time, taught Geography on Mr. Warren's 
plan; and that I shall introduce his books into my school, as fast as 
new books on Geography may be wanted. I shall be able to do this 
more readily, as, by the help of his questions, which may be had for 
a few cents, I can use them with Smith's Geography and Atlas* now 



4 BOOKS PUBLISHED 

generally used in this State; thus obviating the greatest difficulty found 
in introducing a new book, however great its merits. 

B. C. FERJNALD. 
Union School, Portland, August, J 843. 

From William Bartleit, Jr., Esq, a School Teacher . and member of the 
School Committee, Bangor. Maine. 

Bangor, July 27, 1843. 
Sir: — T have been favored with the perusal of Mr. Warren's Geog- 
raphy and Atlas. The classification of subjects in the Geography, I 
very much like, because I think the pupil will be enabled to pursue 
the study as herein presented, with much less confusion than he other- 
wise would. 

ELEMENTS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY. 
By 1. Nichols, D. D., Pastor of the First Church in Portland. 

The following notice is from the pen of Rev. Asa Cummings, editor 
of the Christian Mirror, Portland, Me. 

Dr. Nichols has prefixed to his work, the appropriate motto: — 
"Every" house is builded by some man. But he that built all things, is 
God;" and the work is a very happy illustration of its motto, It is 
devoted, prhicip dly, to an examination of the human frame; and it is 
shown that the Conformation of its various parts, and their adaptation 
to the purposes which they are known to serve, could not have hap- 
pened without the design of an intelligent Creator. It is better adapted 
to the comprehension of youth and common readers, than the more 
elaborate and extended treatises of P' ley and others; and next to the 
Holy Scriptures, is one of the most interesting and useful fields of 
contemplation, which could be spread out before them. We do not 
think that the religious community sufficiently appreciate the import- 
ance of such studies, or that they are aware of their beneficial ten- 
dency; and yet it was on contemplating his own frame, his substance, 
that was curiously wrought, that the ''sweet psalmist of Israel" ex- 
claimed, "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." 
If any person can peruse this little book, without feeling a kindred 
emotion, and forming a similar purpose, the fact would be an affecting 
proof of the alienation of the heart from its Maker. When it is re- 
membered that Atheism is among the spreading errors of ou» land, we 
see an additional reason for directing our youth to such intellectual 
pursuits, as will furnish the best defences against this arch heresy; 
and such we regard the contents of the work nnder review. We are 
glad that a new edition of the work has been demanded, and that it 
makes its appearance in a style of execution so worthy of its matter. 

From the Portland Courier. 

I have been highly gratified by the perusal of this volume, which is 
just issued from the press. I took up the work with no ordinary ex- 
pectations; nor have I been at all disappointed. What 1 particu- 
larly admire and prize in it, is the manifest design which every- 
where pervades it, of doing good. 

The book is written in the form of conversation, and is well calcu- 
lated for the use of schools, and would constitute a valuable and in- 
teresting companion in every family. Aside from its main object, 
which is to lead the reader to look 

11 Through nature up to nature's God," 



BY WILLIAM HYDE. 5 

it is highly valuable as a book of instruction in natural science. I 
question whether then; is another book in tin 1 English language, so 
well calculated to give the younjr an early and familiar acquaintance 
with the structure of the human frame. 

Dr. Nichols appears uniformly, to have sought to dress his facta 
and arguments in the language common to all society; and v\ hen more 
learned and technical terms are necessarily employed, he is careful to 
explain their meaning. He is evidently more desirous to instruct 
thoso who need instruction, than to delight those who are already in- 
structed. The motto has a very happy application to the subject: 

"Every house is builded by some man, 
Bat be that built all things, is God." 

Our author commences by defining the term Theology, which he 
says is 'derived from two Greek words, employed to signify our 
knowledge of God, and is divided into two parts, natural and revealed. 
Revealed Theology embraces those extraordinary discoveries, which 
God has made to mankind, in the holy scriptures. Natural Theology 
teaches what may be know of God, from the manifestations of his ex- 
istence and perfections in the natural world." The work under con- 
sideration, is confined to the latter branch of the subject, viz: Natu- 
ral Theology; and the arguments are principally drawn from an ex- 
amination of the human system. He takes first the head; describes 
the structure and formation of the skull, and the brain; then the organ 
of the senses; the eye receives a particular and minute examination. 
Several facts are stated with regard to the construction of this organ, 
which I have not met with in other works. The author next goes 
into an examination of all the larger and more important bor.es of the 
system; then the muscles, nerves, alimentary organs, heart, arteries, 
veins and skin. He occasionally has allusions to comparative anato- 
my, and gives a short view of the animal instincts, the organization 
and properties of plants, and astronomy. 

The work contains about thirty engravings, illustrating the subjects; 
and is executed in a handsome style. — Seba Smith, Jr. 

UPHAM'S NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 

In 3 vols, octavo. Vol. 1 — The Intellect. Vol. 2— The Sensibili- 
ties. Vol.3 — The Will. Either vol. is sold separately. 



Musical Works. 



The Portland Sacred Music Society's Collection of Church 
Music, consisting of Psalms, Hymn Tunes, Anthems and Chants, by 
David Paine. 

The Cumberland Collection, by I?. Sweetser. 

The Eastern Lyre a Collection of Psalms, Hymn Tunes, An- 
thems, Sentences, and other set pieces, adapted to the use of classes 
and choirs, by Edward Howe, Jr. 

This work contains a choice selection of the most favorite old tunes, 
as they were originally written, in addition to the new music, which oc- 
cupys about two-thirds of the book. A number of the tunes are in 
the chanting style. 

Appended to the work, is a temperance department, consisting of 



BOOKS PUBLISHED BY "WILLIAM HYDE. 

48 pages of choice music, most of it old airs, arranged in four parts, 
accompanied by words adapted to temperance celebrations, lectures, 
and social met tings. These tunes are all suitable to be used with 
other words, on any other occasion. 

At the close of the book, are a few popular old social pieces, such 
as the Pilgrim Fathers, Tyrolese Hvmn,&c, arranged for four voices, 
for the use of the social circle. The temperance department, and 
social pieces, are each done up and sold separately. 



Books for the Young, 



MEMOIRS OF MARION LYLE HURD. 

THE ORPHAN QUEEN. 

BRACKLYN SWAxMP. 

GUESTS FOR THE MARRIAGE SUPPER, by Dr. Malan, of 

Geneva, Switzerland. 

THE NEW BARTIMEUS, by the same author. 

THE ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM, with Scripture 
proofs inserted in full. Price $4 per hundred. 

WATTS' DIVINE SONGS; price $4 per hundred. 

A MOTHER'S PLCA FOR THE SABBATH, in a series of 
Letters to an absent son; illustrated by a great variety of striking and 
interesting facts. This is a new and very valuable work, just issued 
from the press, and is such a book as every parentj who has any re- 
gard for the moral culture of his children, would be pleased to place 
in their hands. 



Missellaneous. 



The Dew of Israel, by Krummacher, author of Elijah the Tish- 
bite, The Martyr Lamb, &c. 

A Memoir of Felix Neff, Pastor of the High Alps, from the 
London edition, with notes by an American Pastor. 

Greenleaf's Maine Reports, in 8 vols, octavo. 

Greenleaf's Digest of Po. 

Greenleaf's New Map of Maine and New Brunswick, revised 
and corrected to the present time, by Moses Greenleaf, Esq. This 
valuable and only full and complete Map of Maine, is ready for sale. 
It is colored, lined with cloth, and mounted on rollers. The author, a 
son of the late Moses Greenleaf, Esq., has spared no pains to make 
the Map perfect, and is probably the best qualified of any person 
living, to do it. 

WILLIAM HYDE keeps a very extensive supply of 

for sale in large or small quantities, at the very lowest prices. 

Orders from the country, promptly and faithfully executed; and 
every article thus sold, if it does not give perfect satisfaction, both as 
to quality and price, maybe returned immediately, uninjured, and the 
purchase money refunded. 



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